Indian Railways, changing its brand perception in India

Overcrowded compartments, dirty bathrooms, a snail speed booking website and never on time arrivals, these are the most common complaints we are used to hear about Indian Railways. 

Indian Railways, world’s largest railway network has never been a most sought after brand in India. But things are changing for good. The government is serious about a modern revamp of Indian Railways. 

Vande Bharat Express, also knows as Train-18, the first high-speed rail manufactured under the “Make in India” initiative successfully completed its first trial run with brief glitches and the future looks promising for Indian Railways. There are good reasons to back this statement:

• World’s Highest Rail Bridge: The under construction railway bridge over Chenab River in Jammu and Kashmir is the world’s tallest railway bridge. Being built at a height of 359 metres above ‘Chenab’, this will be Railways’ finest engineering marvel and will attract a lot of brand reputation to Indian Railways.

Chenab Bridge – Indian Railways building World highest Railway Bridge at Resai (Jammu & Kashmir)https://t.co/tbMJsZV2kv pic.twitter.com/VHdOYLOXfL

— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) January 4, 2019

Railways is on track to achieve another engineering milestone with the Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir, set to be the highest railway arch bridge in the world pic.twitter.com/N4O4x8AkJc

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) December 27, 2018

• More Train-18s: Piyush Goyal-led Indian Railways aims to produce 100 train18 in few next years. MCF Raebareli will play a significant role in achieving these target. Loaded with latest technologies these smart trains cost less than half of the cost to import a similar train.

Vande Bharat Express is developed & designed in India whereas earlier designs (ICF, LHB) were imported. It costs less than half of the cost to import a similar train. It has set the highest standards in Railways & is already fully booked for the next 2 weeks #SuccessOfMakeInIndia

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) February 17, 2019

• Renovation & Redevelopment: 7500 crores will be spent by railway ministry to revamp 50 stations across the country in order to improve security and passenger flow movement. The renovated railway stations will have separate arrival and departure areas, just like airports across the country. 

• Safety & Security: A cyber cell started in Mumbai where Railway Protection Force will use technology to probe thefts and track down touts. Imagine similar cells all over the country and how will it change the brand perception of India Railways. 

In a first, Railways is coming up with a cyber cell in Mumbai where the Railway Protection Force will use technology to probe thefts and track down touts.https://t.co/oOL84K6xUa pic.twitter.com/If04z9hMAn

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) February 18, 2019

• Customer Care: Try it to believe it. The genuine complaints and SOS messages are addressed immediately and it has attracted a lot of praises for Indian Railways. On an average, the Indian Railways get 15K tweets / day complaining about dirty washrooms, defective AC or fans, medical emergencies, food quality, harassment etc. The quick response from railways has definitely changed its perception.

• Cleanliness: It’s quite a visible change thats changing the brand perception of Indian Railways. The use of latest technologies and introduction of services like “Coach Mitra” and Clean Train Station (CTS) scheme has done wonders for Brand Indian Railways.

As a country we are happy to see the progress Indian Railways is making towards providing a world class experience to its consumers. It’s changing the brand perception, one step at a time.