In a very literal sense, the rail network of any country knits it together and aims to connect all regions. This is even more pertinent in the subcontinent. Since its inception during the colonial period, the transport provider has connected areas through the length and breadth of the country. For the first time since its inception in 1853, the Indian Railways is not ferrying any passengers. The greatest humanitarian crisis perhaps since the World War II, has brought the lifeline of the country to a screeching halt.
This report aims to analyse the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the operations and finances of the Indian Railways and what the coming few months hold in store for Asia’s largest rail network.