What strategies can be adopted to overcome the issues pertaining to freight transportation in the Indian Railways and increase its share in the domestic freight?

India has among top 3 rail networks and second largest road network. But → Freight ↓ Road 96%, Rails 4% - This mismatch requires strategy to ensure Rail freight increase. Saves fuel ↓ [Advantages of Railways] ↓ Huge load capacity Non polluting → compared to roads → Cheaper as compared to Roads Accident loss → compared to roads Issues of freight in railway: 1) 'Cross Subsidization' → Slightly higher cost 2) End-to-End Connectivity and Last mile logistics delivery missing

(UTA Railway stations → Private Companies have separate freight chambers for connecting and logistics. 3) Poor infrastructure of Railway stations and do not cater to efficient movement of goods. 4) Poor service delivery → Goods can be broken; spoilt etc 5) Huge delays → As railways slower, signalling issue etc 6) Series of Railways for freight booking via online medium → poor technology backed integration. Strategies to overcome issues: 1) Chine model of Private sector led Outsourcing of railway freight 2) Modernization of Railway stations by Separate passenger and freight stations in major hubs.

— Dishant Amrutlal Nisar · AIR 19