Late? Take Another Wine

A plush Tejas is a hit; the late compensation appreciated. But before it launches into 150 private-run trains on 100 routes, the Centre must take care to not let it affect other rail cars.

- Jyotika Sood

A sense of satisfaction crept over Ankit Mishra after his journey from Lucknow to New Delhi on Tejas express. he spent around Rs 1,800 for a distance covering 480 km—twice the regular fare; equal to an air ticket. Meals were provided on board; 25 minutes were shaved off the usual travel time of 6.40 hours. “The journey was fine…it seems railways is trying to compete with airways,” says Ankit.

Ankit owes his experience to the Indian Railways’ experiment to outsource the running of passenger trains to private entities. To start its pilot, it picked its catering arm, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), to run Tejas express six days a week between Lucknow and New Delhi. It was India’s first “private semi high-speed passenger train”.

Not just plush interiors and good food, passengers coughing up a higher fare would get another commodity unheard of in these parts: accountability and compensation. A delay of over an hour would enjoin IRCTC to pay a compensation of Rs 100 to each passenger; if it’s late by over two hours, one is to get Rs 250. The company spends Rs 14 lakh daily on the Lucknow Delhi run (and back); it earns Rs 17.50 lakh daily from fares.