19 June 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1.   To get back on track

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Editorial Page; Page: 10)

Topic: GS3 – Disaster Management GS2 – Governance – Government policies – Interventions for development in various sectors

Context:

The Indian Railways has once again come under scrutiny following a tragic accident on June 16 near Siliguri, West Bengal, where a freight train collided with a passenger train. This incident resulted in the deaths of at least nine people and left over 40 injured. This accident is a stark reminder of the safety issues that have plagued the Indian Railways for decades. Since 1995, India has experienced seven major train accidents, with five of these accidents each claiming more than 200 lives. The deadliest was the Firozabad collision in 1995, which resulted in 358 fatalities. Last year’s multiple train collision at Balasore in Odisha alone claimed 287 lives. In total, these seven accidents have taken over 1,600 lives, underscoring the severe safety challenges facing the Indian Railways.

A Vision for a Robust Railway System:

• India, as a large and densely populated developing country, fundamentally requires a robust railway system that can effectively compete with road and air transport.
• This vision is not disputed by either the Railway Board or the central government. Over the years, numerous plans have been announced to enhance the speed, safety, and capacity of the railway network.
• However, despite these ambitious plans, the results have been discouraging, with little to no significant improvements realized on the ground.

Declining Market Share and Stagnation:

• The Indian Railways has been steadily losing market share in both passenger and freight transportation. Since 2010-12, there has been a noticeable stagnation or decline in the total volume of freight and passenger traffic, while road and air transportation modes have experienced annual growth rates of 6-12%.
• Between 2014-15 and 2019-20, passenger traffic declined from 995 billion pass-km to 914 billion pass-km, and freight traffic remained stagnant between 682 and 739 billion net tonne-km.
• Post-2019-20 data has not been publicly released, but the trend suggests continued stagnation or decline.

The Crisis Facing Indian Railways:

• The Indian Railways, despite holding a monopoly on rail transport, is facing a severe crisis. If the current trends of declining market share continue for another decade, the Indian Railways risks being relegated to a secondary role, primarily transporting heavy freight and slow-moving passenger trains.
• This situation mirrors the railway systems in large, thinly populated, economically advanced countries like the US, Canada, and Australia.
• However, given India’s high population density, such a decline would be catastrophic for the nation’s transport infrastructure.

Rail Safety in the Broader Context:

• Rail safety must be considered within the broader context of the Indian Railways’ operational challenges. Over the past two decades, the Railway Board has been marked by abrupt policy changes and inconsistent plans for future growth and expansion.
• The failure to increase train speeds, improve punctuality, and address safety issues has exacerbated the crisis.
• Despite technological advancements and capabilities to build faster trains, the average speeds of both passenger and freight trains have remained largely unchanged.

Findings from the Comptroller and Auditor General Reports:

• The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India recently issued two critical reports on the Indian Railways.
• The report on speed and punctuality highlighted that there was no increase in the average speed of mail and express trains between 2014 and 2019, despite claims under the Mission Raftar initiative.
• Similarly, freight train speeds declined marginally. The second report focused on accidents, noting that while the number of accidents had reduced, this was mainly due to the manning of previously unmanned railroad crossings.
• However, the rates of asset failures, particularly signal failures and rail fractures, remained high, contributing to several major accidents, including the Balasore collision.

Misplaced Priorities and Financial Viability:

• While the existing railway network has been in a state of decline, there have been grand plans for costly projects with questionable financial viability.
• These include standalone bullet-train lines and dedicated freight corridors (DFCs) that are disconnected from the main broad gauge network. The construction of the first bullet-train line began in 2017, and work on two DFCs started in 2012.
• Additionally, the introduction of semi-high-speed Vande Bharat trains has been more focused on luxury than on addressing fundamental speed and capacity issues.

Need for a Thorough Review and Policy Shift:

• The continuous decline of the Indian Railways over the past two decades demands a comprehensive review of the priorities and policies that have led to this situation.
• There is an urgent need for a strategic shift to address the core issues of speed, safety, and capacity, ensuring that the railway system can meet the demands of India’s growing population and economy.
• The challenge for the new government will be to tackle these issues head-on and implement effective solutions to revitalize the Indian Railways.

What have the Various Committees recommended to ensure Railways Safety?

Kakodkar Committee (2012): Creating a statutory Railway Safety AuthoritySetting up a non-lapsable Rashtriya Rail Sanraksha Kosh (RRSK) of Rs. 1 lakh crores over 5 years for safety works Adopting advanced technologies for track maintenance and inspectionImproving human resource development and management Ensuring independent accident investigation Bibek Debroy Committee (2014): Separating railway budget from general budgetOutsourcing non-core activities Creating a Railway Infrastructure Authority of India Vinod Rai Committee (2015) Establishing an independent Railway Safety Authority with statutorySetting up a Railway Accident Investigation Board to conduct independent and impartial inquiries. Creating a separate Railway Infrastructure Company to own and maintain railway assetsIntroducing a performance-linked incentive scheme for railway employees.

Practice Question:  Examine the key challenges faced by the Indian Railways in terms of safety, speed, and capacity. Discuss the impact of these challenges on the overall transport infrastructure of India. What measures should the government take to address these issues and revitalize the Indian Railways? (250 words/15 m)

2.   Be self-assured, don’t overreach

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Ideas Page; Page: 11)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context:

As the NDA government begins its third term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it faces an international landscape significantly different from previous terms. Deep structural changes are reshaping the global system, necessitating major adjustments in India’s worldview and domestic policies. This period requires India to navigate five key geopolitical imperatives that will shape its engagement with the world.

The Return of Great-Power Rivalry:

• The resurgence of great-power rivalry necessitates a pragmatic approach driven by national interests rather than ideology. The renewed conflict between the West and the China-Russia axis creates a challenging environment for India’s international relations.
• Unlike the post-Cold War era, where India could engage with multiple great powers without major repercussions, today’s intensified rivalries limit India’s flexibility.
• The concept of “multi-alignment,” once a strategic advantage, now faces limitations as India must carefully balance its relations, particularly with the United States, Europe, and China.
• Economic and security ties with the US and Europe are increasingly pivotal, whereas India’s relationship with China is fraught with deficits and security concerns.

Adapting to the Changing Global Economy:

• The evolving structure of the global economy demands further economic reforms within India.
• The Modi government’s departure from unwavering faith in economic globalization, marked by its exit from the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in 2019, highlights this shift.
• Western efforts to reduce dependency on China open new opportunities for India, but seizing these requires substantial domestic reforms.
• Addressing concerns about the government’s capacity for economic transformation, especially in light of the 2024 elections, will be crucial for leveraging global economic shifts to India’s advantage.

Leveraging the Technological Revolution:

• The ongoing technological revolution is redistributing global power and intensifying great-power competition.
• India’s partnership with the US on critical and emerging technologies (iCET) exemplifies the potential for advanced technological development.
• However, to fully capitalize on these opportunities, India must modernize its science and technology sectors, which have historically been dominated by state monopolies.
• Embracing technological innovation and fostering a competitive environment will be essential for India’s future growth.

Engaging with Emerging Regions:

• India must adapt to the rise of new regions that transcend traditional geographic boundaries.
• The emergence of the Indo-Pacific region, integrating South Asia and Southeast Asia, along with the economic dynamism of the Arab Gulf, Africa, and Southern Europe, presents new diplomatic, economic, and security opportunities.
• Initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) signal India’s expanding interests.
• To maximize these opportunities, India must invest more resources in engaging with these regions, breaking away from outdated regional categorizations.

Moderating Rhetoric on India’s Rise:

• While India’s ascent to becoming the world’s third-largest economy is noteworthy, it must temper its rhetoric to avoid geopolitical hubris.
• Despite a GDP nearing $4 trillion, India’s per capita GDP remains modest at approximately $2,800, reflecting significant developmental challenges and internal inequalities.
• India’s global influence should focus on leveraging international engagement to enhance domestic prosperity and equity.
• Recognizing the potential pitfalls of overestimating its strength and underestimating challenges, India must remain cautious to avoid the fate of rising powers that faltered in history.

Conclusion:

• In its third term, the NDA government must navigate a complex international landscape characterized by great-power rivalry, economic shifts, technological advancements, emerging regions, and the realities of India’s development.
• By strategically addressing these imperatives, India can strengthen its global position and ensure sustained domestic growth and stability.

Practice Question:  Discuss the five key geopolitical imperatives that will shape India’s global engagement during the NDA government’s third term under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. How should India adapt its foreign policy and domestic strategies to navigate these challenges and opportunities effectively? (250 words/15 m)