Indian Railways train delays: Whopping 38% were delayed in last three months, says minister

Indian Railways has miles to go before it becomes truly a world class transporter. As far as punctuality aspect of the national transporter is concerned, it has to really work hard, because its status report presented in the Lower House was not encouraging. 
 
Minister of State for Railways Rajen Gohain informed the Lok Sabha yesterday that as many as 38 per cent trains have been delayed in the last three months, while in April, 39 per cent trains were delayed, in May, the figure stood at 40 per cent and in June 35 per cent of trains were late, taking the average delays to 38 per cent over the last three months. 
 
The MoS for Railways, in a written reply, said that for maintenance of assets and infrastructure augmentation, 4,60,566 block hours (for maintenance) were recorded during April to June 2018 as against 4,11,627 block hours during April to June 2017, which is 48,938 more block hours as compared to the corresponding period of 2017-2018.
 
His statement said, "Many times, trains get delayed not only due to the factors related to its internal working but also external factors which are beyond the control of Railways. In addition to asset failures, certain factors such as line capacity and terminal capacity constraints on account of increasing passenger and freight traffic, adverse weather conditions (fog, rains, breaches), intermittent natural calamities such as floods... Also adversely affect the punctuality of trains over Indian Railways," he said. 
 
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The minister further said that with a view to facilitate passengers about actual arrival of trains and to incorporate the time required for safety related works, Zonal Railways have proposed certain time table changes. This includes delayed arrival at certain terminals, and the same is being reviewed, he added.