Railway: Looking through Wrong End of the Telescope

Modi ji, your promises need to be backed by strong systems that are deteriorating every year. Many X users are calling for you to step in, as the current minister is falling short on delivery on the essential needs

As the #general-elections approach, we are excited about the possibility of Prime Minister NaMo returning to power with a strong majority. We believe that he will address longstanding issues and continue to lead the country towards progress. Many never thought that #Article-370 could be resolved or that the #RamMandir issue would see a resolution, yet #NaMo has smartly delivered on these promises.

Providing #LPG-cylinders, #PakkaGhar, #Electricity and #PipedWater to every #household are significant achievements, and the #Railway-sector has received unprecedented #investment under NaMo’s leadership. Delivering beyond one’s dream is #NaMo-style. We called NaMo’s ability to identify challenges and deliver solutions as #ModiSense.

Despite this progress, #IndianRailways continues to face challenges and results from sporadically made #reforms, do not measure anywhere on NaMo’s high #benchmarks. Like a drug-resistant #superbug, which attacks in Operation Theatres and ICUs, Indian Railways’ Khan Market Gang (#KMG) perhaps is that superbug.

Looking through wrong end of the telescope-Triumph of #SudheerSense over #ModiSense

As we explained in:

Jan 31, 2024: “Moral Hazard and Principal Agent Problem of Indian Railways!”

Feb 07, 2024: “Indian Railways : The Principal Agent Conundrum”

The #KMG manipulated and successfully gamed the priorities, leading the government to fall into the trap of implementing “foolproof” reform- #IRMS, a move that was never discussed in true sense or recommended by the #Debroy committee. As a result, the #government lost out on talented officers who could have boldly led the #reform with #charisma and #credibility. Instead, a technically #incompetent officer with #poor-credibility and integrity was appointed as #ExecutiveMR or #SuperMR, accompanied by teams that lacked the necessary charisma, credibility, expertise-essentially the team matched the #Advisor on credibility & competence.

This created a disconnect between #RailMinister and layer directly below him in #RailBhawan’s top brass, as they could  not get aligned with the #MRCell. To gain saliency, pack leader of #KMG who positioned himself bigger than #CRB, systematically eliminated senior Level-15 officers from 1984-87. This led to collapse of moral of Level-15 of Indian Railways. With the top leadership demoralised, on auto mode #tenders for mega projects were done. With #directionless and demoralised Leve-17, Level-16 and Level-15, entire organisation was sapped of its initiative and drive, where as Indian Railways was aways know for its initiative and drive.

Adding Salt to the Wounds

The situation was made even more painful when MR released his advisor’s book, which ended up on every officer’s table. Hon’ble MR tweeted about his visit with his advisor, proclaiming the #Madhepura-Loco as the best in the world. #Railway officials were left puzzled, as the #Loco actually delivered 30% less tractive pull and was more expensive by over ₹10 crore for the same #horsepower made by Indian Railway’s own factories. #SudheerKumar was eager to have the #Minister’s #endorsement, which he eventually secured.

The pattern of rewarding #inefficiency, #incompetency, and doubtful #integrity persisted with the appointment of #JitendraSingh as a #DRM and #NaveenKumar as a #Director in the UP Metro Corporation, while further supporting the #Trimurti of #Vigilance – #RKJha, #RKRai & #AshokKumar – even after their retirement and completion of tenures.

Shielding, Sheltering, Protecting, Favouring & Rewarding of incompetence and corrupts continue

A number of officers from the batches of 1984-87 were unfortunately sidelined due to their so-called 360 degree reviews. If this was the intent of government, it is puzzling how Jitendra Singh was even considered for a role as a DRM! This raises concerns about the criteria used for selecting DRMs. Similarly, Navin Kumar was appointed as Director of Rolling Stock and Systems, despite having no experience or zero knowledge in #TRD and #TRS even for single day, which are essential areas for a #Metro-system. It appears that their selections were based on factors-favours other than merit, possibly influenced by Sudheer-Sense. One can see the #bio of #NaveenKumar on #UPMRCL’s website. Commissioning of a #DG-set is the only #project that could be found.

The ongoing support of #vigilance-trimurti is difficult to understand. Appointing #AshokKumar as #CVO of the Department of Telecommunications (#DoT) has left many officers shocked. While the support given to Sudheer Kumar, Jitendra Singh, and Naveen Kumar seems to reward incompetence, endorsing this vigilance-trimurti directly supports the nefarious and corrupt individuals.

#Modi ji, your #voters are in need of #safe, #reliable, and #punctual #transportation that allows them to travel with dignity. While #station-development and #redevelopment are important, what truly matters to your voters is being able to rely on #trains running on time and having access to basic amenities like a #seat or #berth and a clean #toilet. Your promises need to be backed by strong systems that are deteriorating every year. Many #Twitter (X) users are calling for you to step in, as the current minister is falling short on delivery on these essential needs.

Has third floor of #RailBhawan peeping through wrong end of the #telescope? How can government running on #ModiSense have Railway Ministry running on #SudheerSense? #Modi ji, please restore #confidence in railway officers that Railway Ministry will not support #incompetent and #corrupts. To continue..