With reference to the editorial ‘At a crossroads’ (February 10), the Railways needs to reset its priorities in order to improve its revenues from both passenger and freight streams. The accent in recent years has been more on executing high investment “grandiose” projects and introduction of premium trains, rather than on making the railways more accessible, reliable and safer for the general class of passengers. Premium trains may bring visibility, but revenues can be generated only by increasing and improving non-premium train services catering to the masses.

On the cargo revenue generation front, the need for upgrading freight infrastructure, establishing dedicated freight corridors, improving average speed of freight trains for faster delivery and diversifying the cargo basket cannot be overemphasised.

Kosaraju Chandramouli

Hyderabad

Tighten UCB regulation

This refers to ‘Central bank plans to ease lending norms for urban co-op banks’. While this is a welcome move, prudence in recovery is essential for the fiscal health of urban cooperative banks (UCBs). In view of frequent failures of UCBs, the central bank must simultaneously ensure that much stricter regulatory measures are in place so as to safeguard depositors’ money. Also, the RBI must look at enhancing deposit insurance limit under the DICGC Act 1961 from the current ₹5 lakh to cover the entire deposit, This will sustain depositors’ confidence and help UCBs grow.

Rajiv Magal

Halekere Village, Karnataka

A fillip to micro units

This refers to ‘Micro, small enterprises with good track record can get collateral-free loans up to ₹25 lakh: RBI’ (February 10). In a nation where unemployment and under-employment are rampant, labour-intensive technology should be encouraged. The RBI’s announcement of collateral-free loans to micro and small enterprises (MSEs) up to ₹20 lakh and those with good track record up to ₹25 lakh will enhance employment, income and output in the sector and, of course, the GDP of the country. Banks should ensure that this facility to MSEs doesn’t increase their bad debts or non-performing assets.

S Ramakrishnasayee

Chennai

Published on February 10, 2026