Turnaround of Indian Railways: Increasing the Axle Loading (original) (raw)

2008, Vikalpa: The Journal for Decision Makers

AI-generated Abstract

The turnaround of Indian Railways (IR) marks a significant transformation from a financially struggling organization to one generating substantial cash surpluses, primarily driven by a strategic increase in axle loading beyond carrying capacity. Key initiatives included revised freight policies and tapping into the growing demand for rail transportation, particularly for bulk commodities like coal and iron ore. However, the study emphasizes the importance of addressing technical and safety concerns related to the increased loading, notably the condition of bridges and tracks, while also suggesting further analysis of freight train speed restrictions and overloading incidents.