Modi-Sense Vs Sudheer-Sense – Your Pick Mr Rail Minister! Part-1

Mr Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Sir, in math taught in “Sudheer Kumar Ki Paathshala”, 32 is smaller than 20. Now prefix Rupee and suffix Crore to these figures – you have magic of Madhepura!

How can Railway Minister forget Modi ji’s emphasis on getting the most bang for your buck? How can railways afford to ignore this principle? How can cost reduction in Indian Railway’s own factories be ignored?

It had been anticipated that the political leaders of the railway would embody the “Modi-sense” philosophy and ensure that travelling was made easier for the general public. However, the government made an error by failing to recognise the #KMG, an internal adversary perched in Rail Bhawan. This group of officials ensured that the “Modi-sense” approach was disregarded!

From a retired engineering service officer

Hon’ble PM Narendra Modi has been praised for his communication skills, but his real strength lies in his ability to connect with the people. He has a knack for understanding what they want and need, and he has delivered on those promises.

For example, PM Modi made toilets a top priority when he came to power. This was mocked at that time, but it has paid off handsomely. Millions of people now have access to toilets, and this has had a major impact on public health. Leader cared for such basic need which was ignored all these years, has touched millions.

PM Modi has also made great strides in improving healthcare and education. He has launched ambitious programs like Aayushman Bharat and Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan, which again reached to last citizen irrespective of State governments. He increased power of Centre by positive action-no surprises that he has cult following.

Indian Railways is another important Ministry that has the potential to reach a wide audience. However, the leadership of the Railways has not been as effective as it could be. They have not been able to capitalise on the Modi-maxim – the idea that the Railways can touch the lives of common people even in States where BJP is not on horizon.

It is hard to fathom how the Railway leadership could have overlooked such a cardinal principle of Modi government! Had they devoted their attention to remedying the common rail user’s grievances, the government’s credibility could have soared. The Railway Ministry eliminated more than ten thousand stoppages and has yet to reinstate hundreds of trains, a decision taken during the COVID period. The implementation of Bio-Toilets resulted in coaches filled with malodorous, overflowing septic tanks. Additionally, the linen is, better not used by the passenger, and the catering services on average trains leave much to be desired, worse than even the base kitchen days.

Promise of 2014

When Prime Minister Modi took office, he was met with a heartbreaking railway accident near Gorakhpur. However, he immediately took action by directing a significant amount of funding towards improving the safety of railway tracks, coaches, and signalling systems. This investment was unprecedented and had not been seen in previous governments. But sorry to say that the benefit of this flooded funding in railways has not reached up to the end rail-user even after 9 years.

Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw and his Guru & Advisor Sudheer Kumar.

It had been anticipated that the political leaders of the railway would embody the “Modi-sense” philosophy and ensure that travelling was made easier for the general public. However, the government made an error by failing to recognise the Khan Market Gang (#KMG), an internal adversary perched in Rail Bhawan. This group of officials ensured that the “Modi-sense” approach was disregarded.

Mr Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Sir, in math taught in “Sudheer Kumar Ki Paathshala”, 32 is smaller than 20. Now prefix Rupee and suffix Crore to these figures-you have magic of Madhepura!

Modi-Sense Vs Sudheer-Sense – Mantri ji choice is yours, noose is tightening otherwise

The cost of WAG9 locomotives during the Modi government’s tenure decreased from Rs 12.76 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 10.34 crore in 2021-22. These locomotives have six powered axles and generate 6000 hp. When paired directly or wirelessly, they produce 12000 hp on 12 powered axles.

The reduction in costs was achieved through the ‘Modi Sense’ approach, which prioritised cost-effective MSMEs and fierce electronic reverse auctions in Indian Railway’s factories.

Tweet from the Twitter handle of the Ministry of Railways after the release of Advisor Sudhir Kumar’s book – Never A Bystander – by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav and then CRB Vinay Kumar Tripathi and other board members.

The order for 12000 hp traction power with 8 axles was placed at the Madhepura factory, starting from unit price of Rs 28 crore. It is reported that the cost per locomotive has now exceeded Rs 32 crore.

Let’s pause for a moment and appreciate the fact that the factories of Indian Railways can provide 12000 hp and 100 tons of tractive effort for just Rs 20.68 crore, while Madhepura, under the direction of Sudheer Sense, can only offer 70 tons of tractive effort for Rs 32 crore, a figure which is relentlessly increasing every year – This is Sudheer-Sense.

“Never A Bystander” – written by Sudheer Kumar – Advisor to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Despite this, Mr Sudheer Kumar sits beside the Minister as a beacon of knowledge. If it weren’t for the previous CRB, the Madhepura model would have been replicated in the PM’s constituency. Tenders were already floated to Madhepura specifications until previous CRB put brakes.

PM sir, why hasn’t your government taken credit for the significant cost reduction achieved in Indian Railway’s own factories across all products? It should be noted that while Indian Railway’s production costs have decreased over the past nine years, Sudheer Kumar’s factory has had to increase its costs every year. Wasn’t this a warning sign for the Minister to rid himself of such a teacher?

Photo Caption: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav at a press conference after the release of his advisor Sudhir Kumar’s book – Never A Bystander. No stone was left unturned in the promotion of this book, that too when its author did not even know till December 2018, which bird is called ‘Emotional Intelligence’!

How can Railway Minister forget Modi ji’s emphasis on getting the most bang for your buck? How can railways afford to ignore this principle? How can cost reduction in Indian Railway’s own factories be ignored?

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw sir, you need to choose between Modi-sense and Sudheer-sense. #Railwhispers suggests, If you really want to improve the Indian Railways, you need to choose Modi-sense.

Part-II examines the mess Sudheer Kumar made by diverting entire attention of Railways, while social media is ablaze with common traveler’s complaints. To continue…

Presented by Suresh Tripathi