CAT Exam  >  CAT Questions  >  Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has no... Start Learning for Free
Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to its potential. Normally, Railway's revenue grows by two percentage points higher than the growth of Indian economy. According to Railway's own statistics, its revenues growth rate was two percentage points lower than the growth rate of Indian GDP in each of these four years. The main problem is a severe capacity constraint that does not allow the Railways to carry more freight even when there is demand. Freight traffic has grown by an average of over 9 percent in the last four years but in order to grow further the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development. The central government recently set up the National Transport Development Policy Committee to suggest measures to promote greater commercial orientation of transport services in the country.
The committee is chaired by Dr. Rakesh Mohan, former deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India, who earlier headed the expert group on Railways that recommended corporatisation of the railway administration in 2002. This might be the right time for the government to consider taking a second look at railway reforms. A senior officer concerned with transport infrastructure planning in the country said that the committee was likely to recommend a few measures in the direction of railway reforms and that there would soon be consultations in this regard with policy-makers and experts.
This would not be a moment too soon. Railways desperately needs to grow its revenues because its expenses have shot up. Its ordinary working expenses grew by 7.3 percent in the years between 2004-05 and 2007-08, but jumped by 32 percent in the next year on account of the pay commission. A newspaper report pointed out that the railway surplus too has dwindled to Rs. 1 crore from over Rs 4,400 crore the last fiscal.
“The Indian Railways is at a crossroad where business as usual is not sustainable in the long run. If Railways has to be protected as the country’s growth wagon, transformation of the governance structure and augmentation of the accountability levels for delivery and performance is a must,” says infrastructure expert Akhileshwar Sahay who has studied railway reforms across the world. So what can Railways do? Experts on railway restructuring around the world say that a mix of reforms done in Japan and Argentina could solve key problems. There are a couple of problem areas that need attention right away . Some of these can be solved through Japanese style reforms (for administration) while the others will need the Argentinean method (exit non-core businesses).
 
Q. What is the main problem of the Railways according to the passage?
  • a)
    Too many commuters and fewer trains.
  • b)
    Poor infrastructure
  • c)
    Government's ignorance towards the railways.
  • d)
    All of the above
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to...
The passage mentions “The main problem ....the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development.” Option 1 is ruled out as commuters are not mentioned in this context. Consequently, option 4 is eliminated.
Option 3 cannot be inferred from the passage.
Option 2 is validated from the above text.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
View all questions of this test
Most Upvoted Answer
Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to...
The passage mentions “The main problem ....the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development.” Option 1 is ruled out as commuters are not mentioned in this context. Consequently, option 4 is eliminated.
Option 3 cannot be inferred from the passage.
Option 2 is validated from the above text.
Hence, the correct answer is option 2.
Free Test
Community Answer
Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to...
Main Problem of the Railways
The primary issue facing Indian Railways, as outlined in the passage, is poor infrastructure. This problem severely limits the ability of the Railways to meet the growing demand for freight services, even when demand is high. Below are the key points that highlight this concern:
Capacity Constraints
- The Railways has been unable to expand its capacity to carry more freight.
- Severe capacity constraints prevent the Railways from capitalizing on the growing freight traffic, which has increased by over 9 percent in recent years.
Revenue Growth Challenges
- Railways revenue growth has lagged behind the Indian GDP growth rate, primarily due to infrastructural limitations.
- The passage indicates that Railways revenue growth was two percentage points lower than GDP growth during the years 2004-2008, which is a direct result of inadequate infrastructure.
Increased Expenses
- The ordinary working expenses of Railways rose significantly, with a 32 percent jump attributed to pay commission in the following year.
- With dwindling surpluses, the Railways must address infrastructure issues to stabilize and grow its revenue.
Need for Reform
- Experts suggest that reforms inspired by Japan and Argentina could help address these infrastructural shortcomings.
- The National Transport Development Policy Committee has been set up to explore measures for the commercial orientation and governance structure of the Railways.
In summary, the lack of adequate infrastructure is the crux of the challenges that Indian Railways faces, impeding its ability to expand and meet increasing demand effectively.
Explore Courses for CAT exam

Top Courses for CAT

Question Description
Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to its potential. Normally, Railwaysrevenue grows by two percentage points higher than the growth of Indian economy. According to Railwaysown statistics, its revenues growth rate was two percentage points lower than the growth rate of Indian GDP in each of these four years. The main problem is a severe capacity constraint that does not allow the Railways to carry more freight even when there is demand. Freight traffic has grown by an average of over 9 percent in the last four years but in order to grow further the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development. The central government recently set up the National Transport Development Policy Committee to suggest measures to promote greater commercial orientation of transport services in the country.The committee is chaired by Dr. Rakesh Mohan, former deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India, who earlier headed the expert group on Railways that recommended corporatisation of the railway administration in 2002. This might be the right time for the government to consider taking a second look at railway reforms. A senior officer concerned with transport infrastructure planning in the country said that the committee was likely to recommend a few measures in the direction of railway reforms and that there would soon be consultations in this regard with policy-makers and experts.This would not be a moment too soon. Railways desperately needs to grow its revenues because its expenses have shot up. Its ordinary working expenses grew by 7.3 percent in the years between 2004-05 and 2007-08, but jumped by 32 percent in the next year on account of the pay commission. A newspaper report pointed out that the railway surplus too has dwindled to Rs. 1 crore from over Rs 4,400 crore the last fiscal.The Indian Railways is at a crossroad where business as usual is not sustainable in the long run. If Railways has to be protected as the countrys growth wagon, transformation of the governance structure and augmentation of the accountability levels for delivery and performance is a must, says infrastructure expert Akhileshwar Sahay who has studied railway reforms across the world. So what can Railways do? Experts on railway restructuring around the world say that a mix of reforms done in Japan and Argentina could solve key problems. There are a couple of problem areas that need attention right away . Some of these can be solved through Japanese style reforms (for administration) while the others will need the Argentinean method (exit non-core businesses).Q. What is the main problem of the Railways according to the passage?a)Too many commuters and fewer trains.b)Poor infrastructurec)Governments ignorance towards the railways.d)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? for CAT 2025 is part of CAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the CAT exam syllabus. Information about Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to its potential. Normally, Railwaysrevenue grows by two percentage points higher than the growth of Indian economy. According to Railwaysown statistics, its revenues growth rate was two percentage points lower than the growth rate of Indian GDP in each of these four years. The main problem is a severe capacity constraint that does not allow the Railways to carry more freight even when there is demand. Freight traffic has grown by an average of over 9 percent in the last four years but in order to grow further the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development. The central government recently set up the National Transport Development Policy Committee to suggest measures to promote greater commercial orientation of transport services in the country.The committee is chaired by Dr. Rakesh Mohan, former deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India, who earlier headed the expert group on Railways that recommended corporatisation of the railway administration in 2002. This might be the right time for the government to consider taking a second look at railway reforms. A senior officer concerned with transport infrastructure planning in the country said that the committee was likely to recommend a few measures in the direction of railway reforms and that there would soon be consultations in this regard with policy-makers and experts.This would not be a moment too soon. Railways desperately needs to grow its revenues because its expenses have shot up. Its ordinary working expenses grew by 7.3 percent in the years between 2004-05 and 2007-08, but jumped by 32 percent in the next year on account of the pay commission. A newspaper report pointed out that the railway surplus too has dwindled to Rs. 1 crore from over Rs 4,400 crore the last fiscal.The Indian Railways is at a crossroad where business as usual is not sustainable in the long run. If Railways has to be protected as the countrys growth wagon, transformation of the governance structure and augmentation of the accountability levels for delivery and performance is a must, says infrastructure expert Akhileshwar Sahay who has studied railway reforms across the world. So what can Railways do? Experts on railway restructuring around the world say that a mix of reforms done in Japan and Argentina could solve key problems. There are a couple of problem areas that need attention right away . Some of these can be solved through Japanese style reforms (for administration) while the others will need the Argentinean method (exit non-core businesses).Q. What is the main problem of the Railways according to the passage?a)Too many commuters and fewer trains.b)Poor infrastructurec)Governments ignorance towards the railways.d)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for CAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to its potential. Normally, Railwaysrevenue grows by two percentage points higher than the growth of Indian economy. According to Railwaysown statistics, its revenues growth rate was two percentage points lower than the growth rate of Indian GDP in each of these four years. The main problem is a severe capacity constraint that does not allow the Railways to carry more freight even when there is demand. Freight traffic has grown by an average of over 9 percent in the last four years but in order to grow further the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development. The central government recently set up the National Transport Development Policy Committee to suggest measures to promote greater commercial orientation of transport services in the country.The committee is chaired by Dr. Rakesh Mohan, former deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India, who earlier headed the expert group on Railways that recommended corporatisation of the railway administration in 2002. This might be the right time for the government to consider taking a second look at railway reforms. A senior officer concerned with transport infrastructure planning in the country said that the committee was likely to recommend a few measures in the direction of railway reforms and that there would soon be consultations in this regard with policy-makers and experts.This would not be a moment too soon. Railways desperately needs to grow its revenues because its expenses have shot up. Its ordinary working expenses grew by 7.3 percent in the years between 2004-05 and 2007-08, but jumped by 32 percent in the next year on account of the pay commission. A newspaper report pointed out that the railway surplus too has dwindled to Rs. 1 crore from over Rs 4,400 crore the last fiscal.The Indian Railways is at a crossroad where business as usual is not sustainable in the long run. If Railways has to be protected as the countrys growth wagon, transformation of the governance structure and augmentation of the accountability levels for delivery and performance is a must, says infrastructure expert Akhileshwar Sahay who has studied railway reforms across the world. So what can Railways do? Experts on railway restructuring around the world say that a mix of reforms done in Japan and Argentina could solve key problems. There are a couple of problem areas that need attention right away . Some of these can be solved through Japanese style reforms (for administration) while the others will need the Argentinean method (exit non-core businesses).Q. What is the main problem of the Railways according to the passage?a)Too many commuters and fewer trains.b)Poor infrastructurec)Governments ignorance towards the railways.d)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?.
Solutions for Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to its potential. Normally, Railwaysrevenue grows by two percentage points higher than the growth of Indian economy. According to Railwaysown statistics, its revenues growth rate was two percentage points lower than the growth rate of Indian GDP in each of these four years. The main problem is a severe capacity constraint that does not allow the Railways to carry more freight even when there is demand. Freight traffic has grown by an average of over 9 percent in the last four years but in order to grow further the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development. The central government recently set up the National Transport Development Policy Committee to suggest measures to promote greater commercial orientation of transport services in the country.The committee is chaired by Dr. Rakesh Mohan, former deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India, who earlier headed the expert group on Railways that recommended corporatisation of the railway administration in 2002. This might be the right time for the government to consider taking a second look at railway reforms. A senior officer concerned with transport infrastructure planning in the country said that the committee was likely to recommend a few measures in the direction of railway reforms and that there would soon be consultations in this regard with policy-makers and experts.This would not be a moment too soon. Railways desperately needs to grow its revenues because its expenses have shot up. Its ordinary working expenses grew by 7.3 percent in the years between 2004-05 and 2007-08, but jumped by 32 percent in the next year on account of the pay commission. A newspaper report pointed out that the railway surplus too has dwindled to Rs. 1 crore from over Rs 4,400 crore the last fiscal.The Indian Railways is at a crossroad where business as usual is not sustainable in the long run. If Railways has to be protected as the countrys growth wagon, transformation of the governance structure and augmentation of the accountability levels for delivery and performance is a must, says infrastructure expert Akhileshwar Sahay who has studied railway reforms across the world. So what can Railways do? Experts on railway restructuring around the world say that a mix of reforms done in Japan and Argentina could solve key problems. There are a couple of problem areas that need attention right away . Some of these can be solved through Japanese style reforms (for administration) while the others will need the Argentinean method (exit non-core businesses).Q. What is the main problem of the Railways according to the passage?a)Too many commuters and fewer trains.b)Poor infrastructurec)Governments ignorance towards the railways.d)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? in English & in Hindi are available as part of our courses for CAT. Download more important topics, notes, lectures and mock test series for CAT Exam by signing up for free.
Here you can find the meaning of Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to its potential. Normally, Railwaysrevenue grows by two percentage points higher than the growth of Indian economy. According to Railwaysown statistics, its revenues growth rate was two percentage points lower than the growth rate of Indian GDP in each of these four years. The main problem is a severe capacity constraint that does not allow the Railways to carry more freight even when there is demand. Freight traffic has grown by an average of over 9 percent in the last four years but in order to grow further the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development. The central government recently set up the National Transport Development Policy Committee to suggest measures to promote greater commercial orientation of transport services in the country.The committee is chaired by Dr. Rakesh Mohan, former deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India, who earlier headed the expert group on Railways that recommended corporatisation of the railway administration in 2002. This might be the right time for the government to consider taking a second look at railway reforms. A senior officer concerned with transport infrastructure planning in the country said that the committee was likely to recommend a few measures in the direction of railway reforms and that there would soon be consultations in this regard with policy-makers and experts.This would not be a moment too soon. Railways desperately needs to grow its revenues because its expenses have shot up. Its ordinary working expenses grew by 7.3 percent in the years between 2004-05 and 2007-08, but jumped by 32 percent in the next year on account of the pay commission. A newspaper report pointed out that the railway surplus too has dwindled to Rs. 1 crore from over Rs 4,400 crore the last fiscal.The Indian Railways is at a crossroad where business as usual is not sustainable in the long run. If Railways has to be protected as the countrys growth wagon, transformation of the governance structure and augmentation of the accountability levels for delivery and performance is a must, says infrastructure expert Akhileshwar Sahay who has studied railway reforms across the world. So what can Railways do? Experts on railway restructuring around the world say that a mix of reforms done in Japan and Argentina could solve key problems. There are a couple of problem areas that need attention right away . Some of these can be solved through Japanese style reforms (for administration) while the others will need the Argentinean method (exit non-core businesses).Q. What is the main problem of the Railways according to the passage?a)Too many commuters and fewer trains.b)Poor infrastructurec)Governments ignorance towards the railways.d)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? defined & explained in the simplest way possible. Besides giving the explanation of Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to its potential. Normally, Railwaysrevenue grows by two percentage points higher than the growth of Indian economy. According to Railwaysown statistics, its revenues growth rate was two percentage points lower than the growth rate of Indian GDP in each of these four years. The main problem is a severe capacity constraint that does not allow the Railways to carry more freight even when there is demand. Freight traffic has grown by an average of over 9 percent in the last four years but in order to grow further the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development. The central government recently set up the National Transport Development Policy Committee to suggest measures to promote greater commercial orientation of transport services in the country.The committee is chaired by Dr. Rakesh Mohan, former deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India, who earlier headed the expert group on Railways that recommended corporatisation of the railway administration in 2002. This might be the right time for the government to consider taking a second look at railway reforms. A senior officer concerned with transport infrastructure planning in the country said that the committee was likely to recommend a few measures in the direction of railway reforms and that there would soon be consultations in this regard with policy-makers and experts.This would not be a moment too soon. Railways desperately needs to grow its revenues because its expenses have shot up. Its ordinary working expenses grew by 7.3 percent in the years between 2004-05 and 2007-08, but jumped by 32 percent in the next year on account of the pay commission. A newspaper report pointed out that the railway surplus too has dwindled to Rs. 1 crore from over Rs 4,400 crore the last fiscal.The Indian Railways is at a crossroad where business as usual is not sustainable in the long run. If Railways has to be protected as the countrys growth wagon, transformation of the governance structure and augmentation of the accountability levels for delivery and performance is a must, says infrastructure expert Akhileshwar Sahay who has studied railway reforms across the world. So what can Railways do? Experts on railway restructuring around the world say that a mix of reforms done in Japan and Argentina could solve key problems. There are a couple of problem areas that need attention right away . Some of these can be solved through Japanese style reforms (for administration) while the others will need the Argentinean method (exit non-core businesses).Q. What is the main problem of the Railways according to the passage?a)Too many commuters and fewer trains.b)Poor infrastructurec)Governments ignorance towards the railways.d)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?, a detailed solution for Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to its potential. Normally, Railwaysrevenue grows by two percentage points higher than the growth of Indian economy. According to Railwaysown statistics, its revenues growth rate was two percentage points lower than the growth rate of Indian GDP in each of these four years. The main problem is a severe capacity constraint that does not allow the Railways to carry more freight even when there is demand. Freight traffic has grown by an average of over 9 percent in the last four years but in order to grow further the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development. The central government recently set up the National Transport Development Policy Committee to suggest measures to promote greater commercial orientation of transport services in the country.The committee is chaired by Dr. Rakesh Mohan, former deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India, who earlier headed the expert group on Railways that recommended corporatisation of the railway administration in 2002. This might be the right time for the government to consider taking a second look at railway reforms. A senior officer concerned with transport infrastructure planning in the country said that the committee was likely to recommend a few measures in the direction of railway reforms and that there would soon be consultations in this regard with policy-makers and experts.This would not be a moment too soon. Railways desperately needs to grow its revenues because its expenses have shot up. Its ordinary working expenses grew by 7.3 percent in the years between 2004-05 and 2007-08, but jumped by 32 percent in the next year on account of the pay commission. A newspaper report pointed out that the railway surplus too has dwindled to Rs. 1 crore from over Rs 4,400 crore the last fiscal.The Indian Railways is at a crossroad where business as usual is not sustainable in the long run. If Railways has to be protected as the countrys growth wagon, transformation of the governance structure and augmentation of the accountability levels for delivery and performance is a must, says infrastructure expert Akhileshwar Sahay who has studied railway reforms across the world. So what can Railways do? Experts on railway restructuring around the world say that a mix of reforms done in Japan and Argentina could solve key problems. There are a couple of problem areas that need attention right away . Some of these can be solved through Japanese style reforms (for administration) while the others will need the Argentinean method (exit non-core businesses).Q. What is the main problem of the Railways according to the passage?a)Too many commuters and fewer trains.b)Poor infrastructurec)Governments ignorance towards the railways.d)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? has been provided alongside types of Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to its potential. Normally, Railwaysrevenue grows by two percentage points higher than the growth of Indian economy. According to Railwaysown statistics, its revenues growth rate was two percentage points lower than the growth rate of Indian GDP in each of these four years. The main problem is a severe capacity constraint that does not allow the Railways to carry more freight even when there is demand. Freight traffic has grown by an average of over 9 percent in the last four years but in order to grow further the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development. The central government recently set up the National Transport Development Policy Committee to suggest measures to promote greater commercial orientation of transport services in the country.The committee is chaired by Dr. Rakesh Mohan, former deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India, who earlier headed the expert group on Railways that recommended corporatisation of the railway administration in 2002. This might be the right time for the government to consider taking a second look at railway reforms. A senior officer concerned with transport infrastructure planning in the country said that the committee was likely to recommend a few measures in the direction of railway reforms and that there would soon be consultations in this regard with policy-makers and experts.This would not be a moment too soon. Railways desperately needs to grow its revenues because its expenses have shot up. Its ordinary working expenses grew by 7.3 percent in the years between 2004-05 and 2007-08, but jumped by 32 percent in the next year on account of the pay commission. A newspaper report pointed out that the railway surplus too has dwindled to Rs. 1 crore from over Rs 4,400 crore the last fiscal.The Indian Railways is at a crossroad where business as usual is not sustainable in the long run. If Railways has to be protected as the countrys growth wagon, transformation of the governance structure and augmentation of the accountability levels for delivery and performance is a must, says infrastructure expert Akhileshwar Sahay who has studied railway reforms across the world. So what can Railways do? Experts on railway restructuring around the world say that a mix of reforms done in Japan and Argentina could solve key problems. There are a couple of problem areas that need attention right away . Some of these can be solved through Japanese style reforms (for administration) while the others will need the Argentinean method (exit non-core businesses).Q. What is the main problem of the Railways according to the passage?a)Too many commuters and fewer trains.b)Poor infrastructurec)Governments ignorance towards the railways.d)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? theory, EduRev gives you an ample number of questions to practice Between 2004 and 2008, Indian Railways has not been able to perform to its potential. Normally, Railwaysrevenue grows by two percentage points higher than the growth of Indian economy. According to Railwaysown statistics, its revenues growth rate was two percentage points lower than the growth rate of Indian GDP in each of these four years. The main problem is a severe capacity constraint that does not allow the Railways to carry more freight even when there is demand. Freight traffic has grown by an average of over 9 percent in the last four years but in order to grow further the railways have to concentrate on infrastructure development. The central government recently set up the National Transport Development Policy Committee to suggest measures to promote greater commercial orientation of transport services in the country.The committee is chaired by Dr. Rakesh Mohan, former deputy governor, Reserve Bank of India, who earlier headed the expert group on Railways that recommended corporatisation of the railway administration in 2002. This might be the right time for the government to consider taking a second look at railway reforms. A senior officer concerned with transport infrastructure planning in the country said that the committee was likely to recommend a few measures in the direction of railway reforms and that there would soon be consultations in this regard with policy-makers and experts.This would not be a moment too soon. Railways desperately needs to grow its revenues because its expenses have shot up. Its ordinary working expenses grew by 7.3 percent in the years between 2004-05 and 2007-08, but jumped by 32 percent in the next year on account of the pay commission. A newspaper report pointed out that the railway surplus too has dwindled to Rs. 1 crore from over Rs 4,400 crore the last fiscal.The Indian Railways is at a crossroad where business as usual is not sustainable in the long run. If Railways has to be protected as the countrys growth wagon, transformation of the governance structure and augmentation of the accountability levels for delivery and performance is a must, says infrastructure expert Akhileshwar Sahay who has studied railway reforms across the world. So what can Railways do? Experts on railway restructuring around the world say that a mix of reforms done in Japan and Argentina could solve key problems. There are a couple of problem areas that need attention right away . Some of these can be solved through Japanese style reforms (for administration) while the others will need the Argentinean method (exit non-core businesses).Q. What is the main problem of the Railways according to the passage?a)Too many commuters and fewer trains.b)Poor infrastructurec)Governments ignorance towards the railways.d)All of the aboveCorrect answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer? tests, examples and also practice CAT tests.
Explore Courses for CAT exam

Top Courses for CAT

Explore Courses
Signup for Free!
Signup to see your scores go up within 7 days! Learn & Practice with 1000+ FREE Notes, Videos & Tests.
10M+ students study on EduRev