Webometric Analysis of Twitter Hashtags in Indian Railway: A Comprehensive Study

Abstract

Debdas Mondal

This study presents a comprehensive webometric analysis of Twitter hashtags related to Indian Railways, aimed at understanding patterns of digital engagement, user sentiment, and thematic trends in public discourse. Using a dataset comprising 45,000 tweets collected over the year 2023, the research examines hashtag frequency, co-occurrence networks, sentiment distribution, source types, language usage, and platform access. The findings reveal that #indianrailways dominates the conversation, followed by employment-related hashtags such as #railwaynewrojgardo, which exhibit high negative sentiment, indicating public dissatisfaction regarding job opportunities. In contrast, tourism-related hashtags like #CharDhamYatra generate higher engagement and more neutral to positive sentiment. Analysis also shows that Twitter is primarily accessed through mobile devices, with most tweets originating from Android platforms and composed in English or Hinglish. The study further highlights the significant role of public-generated content in driving discussions on recruitment, services, and passenger grievances. By integrating sentiment analysis and co- occurrence mapping, this research provides actionable insights for enhancing Indian Railways’ digital communication strategies and improving public service responsiveness through social media. The findings contribute to the broader understanding of webometric applications in public sector transportation systems.

PDF