Instead, we need more investment on existing routes. It is also well-known that, with the pressures in the general budget, budgetary support to railways has been dwindling. Which is why the railways have been forced to borrow larger and larger amounts, a situation fraught with grave danger when the return to its investment is so low. Clearly, innovative solutions are called for. The government cannot be expected to raise the resources required, norwill the so-called social obligations of the railways allow a decent rate of return. Two distinct solutions are required. First, any subsidy must be explicit and allowance made in the budget, and second, the process of privatisation must be speeded up. Financing too must be made innovative -- for example, money can be raised through the sale and lease back of wagons, a leasing company being the partner to the deal. But even such a scheme will face the barrier of low return on capital. In the final analysis, therefore, privatisation of an increasing number of services should be the way out. For starters, we should at least ensure that new lines and rolling stock on those lines are privately owned. It is measures such as these which will turnaround the railways, rather than merely tinkering with fares.