Performance of Indian Railways today

We have been independent since 1947 and we have projected on paper that we have achieved immense growth and development in the areas of public utility systems within our country. When we look at our Railways system, which is the largest governmental organization in India with more than 15 lakhs employees of all cadres, with thousands of miles of rail track, we are still lagging behind most of the developing countries. Our people are habituated to accept whatever is served to them, however the quality of service may be bad or even worse. Passenger amenities in our trains
are inadequate. Our coaches are designed in a very inconvenient way. In other countries
( Europe)
you dont find the side berths at all as that space is left for the passage of the commuters, to avoid congestion. In our country we do not have minimum common sense to ever imagine to leave that side space as passage. The wash room facility in each coach is inadequate to the number of passengers of the coach. NO one is ever thinking to improve this facility.Ministers change after every election and the new minister administers in his dictatorial way to spoil the existing system.
Worse among all other facilities is the catering service in the trasins. Ever since the railway ministry has out sourced the catering service to private contractors, it has become worse and the food they serve is not palatable. The quality is poorest and unhygenic. Cost wise also, it is enoprmously and unwantedly very expensive. The cost of the food/snack item does not match with the quality and the quantity. The vendor forces the buyer to buy the unwanted excess quantity/number of items as one unit for a very high cost which is unagreeable.In my view the Railways should restore the old ways of catering themselves, which may improve the quality of service and the food in the train.
Our Railway stations are not condusive to the old people. The over bridge concept in all our railway stations is an obselete way of crossing the rilway tracks.This is causing a tremendous strain and harressment to the senior citizens and physically challenged people. Indian Railways should plan to construct under ground passages with escelator/lift facilities on platforms.This is high time to think of such technological inovations in ourIndian Railway stations.