rather than going for LP ALP guardless trains. even we can try crew set up such as person can work as ALP/guard/Assistant motorman and motorman/LP. a good amount of ALP recruitment should be done every year so that system goes good. if fact i suggest LP:ALP ratio to be 100:110 so that expansion of railways wont be issue. but how to compensate the cost. here are few methods:
1. Reduce zones to 8/9. make 15-18 divisions/zone. so higher officials numbers will be reduced. which can save plenty of tax money
2. RDSO based...
more... coach production can be done. each year they can introduce better models and research can consider top engineering research scientists
3. No tax or service tax for the material procured for railway use.(diesel and electricity cost can be reduced to huge extension)
4. rationalizing fares to great extend.. Passenger and express fares need not be increased. SF can be 1.5 times of express and JS/ICE/special name(state SF SK types can be included here) trains 2.5 time fares of express RAJ/shatabhi 5 times fare of Express.
5. season ticket fare can be 12 days fare for month and 35 days fare for quarterly
6. ARP should be reduced to 30 and huge data load can be reduced.
7. Reduction of 1 AC First class wherever is unnecessary(i.e replace FC and H by HA1 or A series)
8. Tatkal fare can be twice amount of normal fare. and no RAC berths, all RAC berth can be alloted to WL passengers. 110 WL is limit. current booking can be done at tatkal fare
9. like GAIL SAIL seperate body for Railway construction. should be recruited to ESE civil and should work like most of govt enterprises.