I will blame the central government and the railways for the present state of affairs.
Under the Modi led government the Railways have betrayed the common people. The railways which was the trusted resort for common people for long distance travel was turned into a predatory exploiter like system by the BJP led central government.
NDA government very cleverly even surreptitiously implemented its privatization and divesting agenda first in Railways. It camouflaged this in clever promise and attractive temptation of convenience and comfort. Neo rich urban middle class fell for this and vocally orchestrated support not visualizing the subsequent damaging effects.
Initially the online reservation system and introduction of more trains in more routes and introducing of economy ac class etc. was felt convenient. That was also a scene of low cost airlines n full swing operation. The railways got a very stiff competition from the LCC airlines. To reduce cost of diesel etc, railways discontinued many trains in many routes. Then came he Covid situation. That was an easy excuse to discontinue maximum number of trains.
By this time the LCC airlines vanished( I feel there were vested interests to cause this, as even some popular political leaders started commenting about cattle class travelling in plane)) In the meantime railways introduced dynamic pricing, premium trains ,Tatkal tickets, premium tatkal ticket etc. More AC coaches were introduced at tthe expense of sleeper coach accommodation. Various categories of trains introduced. All these were just novel ways to exploit the vulnerable people. With number of affordable train seats drastically reduced and h non-availability of low cost airlines people were left victims for exploitation of railways. In many crowded routes trains were run at odd timing schedules.
The cancellation and refund rules also became cruel and exploitative. Railways were aiming at profiteering left, right and centre. They sold their air space and floor space to commercial uses gaining further. The exploitation and predatory profit motive came to such a level that railways were thinking to
lease their platform premises to big corporates to start shoe-shine ventures which were actually livelihoods for poor people.
It is then the plight of the people to look for alternatives as they have to travel. This situation is naturally exploited by private operators. When the government (railways) which had to come to help common people and protect them exploitation, themselves turn out to be worse exploiters we do not have any right to blame the private operators.
If I see any black spot on the Modi government, then that is the Railways. It has become a silent instrument helping this government secretly and cleverly exploiting people and fulfilling its privatization and corporatization and disinvestment agenda of Modi government. I am surprised why the opposition politicians , intelligentsia and media who do not spare any opportunity to criticise Modi government failed to notice this exploitation and not even slightly protested or reacted.
And Lo, the government is interested in leasing trains for tour operators whereby the fare and other parameters will be decided by the private operators. IRCTC which started as an entity for serving good food at affordable rates is now tuned to be another corporate entity interested in only helping speculators profit in stock market. Like that many public sector organs of railways are being turned out as commercial items for stock market dealers.
The 'service' part is now taken away from Railway and profiting by exploitation to satisfy the stock market is the main aim now.
It is at this time that w are compelled to remember Lalu Prasad Yadav who literally reduced the train fare and made it more common man friendly, whatever way it was.
When God himself is cruel, what can be expected from the lower devils?
