Urgent Call for Railway Infrastructure Reform in India

The national convener of the Rashtriya Kisan Majdoor Sangthan (RKMS), has voiced serious concerns regarding the deteriorating state of railway infrastructure in India, particularly the quality of bridges and culverts. During a meeting with Ravneet Singh, Minister of State for Railways, officials highlighted troubling incidents that illustrate the urgent need for attention and reform in the railway system.

Officias also pointed out that while century-old British-era bridges have proven resilient against floods, newly reconstructed railway tracks are repeatedly damaged, swept away by seasonal floods. He presented a detailed letter to the minister outlining specific examples of infrastructure failures. Notably, a culvert between Shahgarh and Sandai stations on the Pilibhit-Lucknow line, which was converted to broad gauge earlier this year, was washed away by floods from the Sharda River just three months post-conversion. Furthermore, a 200-metre stretch of hanging track between Ataria and Bhira on the Mailani-Nanpara line, rebuilt in 2021, has already incurred significant damage. He  termed the ongoing damage a “national loss” and called for a thorough inquiry into the repeated failures of what should be modern infrastructure. He also urged the minister to intervene in relocating a coal depot situated at Bisalpur railway station in Pilibhit, which has become a notorious source of air pollution. Singh emphasized that the coal dust emitted poses severe health risks to local residents and commuters alike.

The Pilibhit-Lucknow track conversion, which spans 250 km and cost approximately ₹672 crore, had its final section inaugurated virtually by Railway Minister on September 1. However, the swift damage of infrastructure has raised questions about the efficacy of investments in railway upgrades. The RKMS has actively protested for the relocation of the coal depot, supported by community leaders like Ram Saran Verma, father of BJP MLA Vivek Verma. The mounting air pollution has prompted widespread concern and discontent among residents, further complicating the dialogue around infrastructure development and sustainability in the region.