2016-03-08

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu gets pat from PM Modi yet again – for accelerating the pace of development of Indian Railways

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that there are several ongoing reforms in Railways, which are not being focused upon.

“No one has given attention to the reforms being undertaken in railways till now. Those who talk of big reforms can see how much changes have come in the Railways,” Modi said at the launch of Setu Bharatam Project here. “Indian Railways needs fundamental changes…..Many MPs get happy with announcement of projects announced for their constituency in Parliament….but many of them will not be implemented,” said Modi, while inaugurating the Sethubharatam project, a project to strengthen the bridges.

“Railways is being taken towards electrification….nobody has focused on railway reforms….We are improving quality of infrastructure,” said Modi.

Road, rail, water connectivity, electricity generation, electricity supply — are some most basic changes that the government will focus on.

The PM congratulated the Road Transport and Highways Minister, Nitin Gadkari, for focusing on improving bridges through the Sethubharatam project.

He added that in universities, engineering and architecture students can focus on infrastructure, particularly bridge improvement, which can create a lot of jobs.

Prabhu has unleashed a series of reform measures to make the Railways a financially viable organisation. While steps have been taken to constitute a regulatory authority to decide on fares and also to give a level playing field to private investors in railways, a separate Railway Planning and Investment Organisation will be formed to work out various investment opportunities. Railways will also set up a holding company for all Railway PSUs for better coordination and consolidation in fiscal matter. Prabhu has announced launching of seven missions to take forward activities with time bound targets.

Missions are for switching over to 25 tonne axle load, increasing speeds, accounting reforms, commissioning 100 sidings/private freight terminals in 2016-17, preparing a blueprint of utilizing the network once DFC is commissioned, zero accident for safety and for procurement and consumption efficiency.

Modi had also praised Prabhu yesterday for accelerating the pace of development of railway infrastructure network while replying on President’s Address in Lok Sabha. PM had compared the money spent on rail projects, such as laying of new lines, doubling, gauge conversion and electrification and commissioning of new lines during UPA’s 10-year rule and NDA’s two-year period to counter opposition’s barb on his government’s performance in the House. “The average yearly spending for development of railways during 10 years of UPA was Rs 9,291 crore and it was Rs 32,597 crore in our two years,” PM had said adding “How much new rail lines were laid? During UPA-I, the average was 1477 km… It improved slightly during UPA-II to 1520 km and during NDA it is 2290 km.” Defending Prabhu’s decision not to announce new trains in the Railway budget, Modi said that earlier trains were announced in Parliament to get claps from a few MPs but now the focus in railways has changed to laying new lines, gauge conversion, electrification.

In this connection, PM had also reviewed sector-wise beneficiaries of the Railway Budget 2016-17 which are complied below:-

Interest group/Subject

Initiatives in Budget

SAFETY

946 ROB/RUB sanctioned

Launch Mission Zero accident

Eliminate all unmanned BG crossings in next 3 years

Equip the high density network (10,000Kms) with TCAS in next 3 years

PROJECT/ CAPEX

Rs.1.21 lakh total capex size – 20% increase than last year’s target

Commissioning of 2800 Kms of BG line vs this year’s target of 2500 Kms

Massive push on electrification – 50% increase in outlay. Target to accomplish 2000Kms vs 1600 Kms this year

CUSTOMER AMENITIES

Launch of Tejas express: Premium superfast with many onboard facilities such as entertainement, better aesthetics, vending machines, ushers

Launch of Humsafar express – Full 3AC, fast train with optional food services

Launch of UDAY (Utkrisht Double decker AC Yatri)- Overnight, double decker superfast service on highly patronized routes

Launch of Rail Mitra Sewa – Comprehensive concierge services including battery operated cars, porter services, wheel chairs etc

Travel Insurance facility for passengers

Sale of UTS tickets through handheld POS terminals

Cancellation of tickets through 139

All operational halts converted into commercial halts

CCTV survellience of Tatkal counters to prevent miscreant activity

PA systems leased out to FM Radio companies in trains

Bar-coded tickets, scanners and access control at select stations

Launch multi purpose stalls on stations

Hourly booking of Retiring rooms

Introduction of SMART coaches – better customer experience, high carrying capaicty and lower costs

Standardized uniforms across all Railways for customer facing roles

PR skill training for customer facing roles

Rail Bandhu – on Board managzine expansion to all A/C reserved class in all Mail Express trains and all regional languages

New uniforms for Porters with advertising banners. Soft skill training to improve customer experience. Would be known as ‘Sahayak’

Sale of platform tickets through ticket vending machines

Provision of normal debit/credit card usablity at ticket vending machines

GPS enabled LED boards to provide real time information of approaching stops on trains

Information boards in trains to communicate various on-board services2

COMMON MAN/ POOR

Launch of new service – Antyodaya express : Unreserved, second class, superfast trains.

Introduction of Deen Dayal coaches for general passengers with aenhanced facilities such as Potable water, water level indicators, mobile charging points

DIVYANG

All new stations to be redeveloped would be made accessible by all

One divyang toilet per platform on A1 class stations

Increased availability of wheelchairs on platforms

CLEANLIENSS

Pan India proliferation of ‘ Clean my coach service’

Regular third party audits to generate rankings for stations

Setting up of Waste segregation centres

Additional 30,000 bio toilets

Installation and Maintenance of Portable bio toilets at major stations – Leverage advertisementing potential, CSR, and support from Voluntary organisations

Awareness campaigns to improve cleanliness including approach roads and adjacent colonies

CATERING

Hand back catering to IRCTC in a phased manner – Primary objective to unbundle food preparation and food disbursement to break the nexus of overcharging passengers

E Catering extended from current 45 stations to all 408 A1 and A class stations

Ready to Eat meals onboard

Explore making mandatory food on trains optional. Local cuisine to me made available.

Base Kitchens to be set up by IRCTC to ensure high quality hygeinic food

Third Party audit of catering services

SHGS

Empanelment by IRCTC for catering services

E-Marketing of products through IRCTC in partnership with NABARD

NGOS

IR to partner with prominent NGO’s to partner for skill development of people in rural areas including Railway employees

Appeal to NGOs to support Cleanliness, Sanitation, Skill development and Energy conservation initiatives in IR

Parternship with Khadi and Village Industries Commission to support emplyoment creation for rural India

WOMEN

Launch of Janani Sewa – Provide Kids Menu and changing boards in Toilets

Provision of hot milk, hot water and baby food at Stations

Rail Mitra Sewa including wheel chairs, battery operated cars for Senior citizens, women and Patients

More toilets for Women at stations

Sub quota of 33% in award of licences for stalls and services at stations

SENIOR CITIZENS

50% increase in lower berth quota taking the total lower berths availability to 120 per train

Rail Mitra Sewa including wheel chairs, battery operated cars for Senior citizens, women and Patients

FARMERS/ FISHERMAN

Preferential usage for cold storage warehouses being set up on empty Railway land through PPP

SC/ST

Enforcement of reservation in awarding of contracts for stalls at stations

Encourage employment for SC/ST through horticulture and tree plantation at side of tracks

Encourage SC/ST enterprenuers in partnership with Khadi and Village Industries Commission

Promoting tribal art through murals on stations

RELIGIOUS ORG

Launch Aastha circuit connecting various pilgrim centres

Beautification and provision of passenger amenities for stations of religious interests

STUDENTS

Kalam express to be launched to share innovative solutions to common daily problems

Internships for over 100 students/year across Engineering and MBA schools

Establish Railway University in this financial year

NORTH EAST

Expedited execution of connecting all state capitals – Mizoram and Manipur to be connected in this year

WILD LIFE

Launch of Tiger circuit to cover Pench, Bhandavgarh and Kanha

Spreading awareness through paintings on stations

ENVIRONMENT

All Railway stations to be covered with LED luminaries in next 2-3 years

Switch to environment friendly composite sleepers made of recycled plastic

Set up Automatic coach washing plants to support water conservation

Convert production units (atleast one in each zonal railway) as Green Industrial units

Rain water harvesting on buildings with roof area of more than 200sqm post feasability studies

Set waste segregation and water recycling plants

Puruse the medium term plan to get 132.5 MW of power through wind energy

Pursue the target of achieving 100 MW of Solar Power in next 5 years

GOVERNANCE

Tabling the bill for Rail Development Authority with in next 6 months

Regular security audit of PRS website

Operational research to improve rake turnaround at select terminals

Commence integration of IT initiatives under a system wide Enterprise Resource Planning architecture

Roll out the mechanism of internal audit to ensure 2 full audit reports per zone

Sign MoUs with zonal railways to enhance commitment on performance on clearly stated parameters

Single person accountability for all facilities on a train

Atleast 20 projects on EPC for FY16-17. Move to EPC for above Rs 300 crore projects by next year

All A1 stations to have senior Station Directors, supported through a cross functional team

EMPLOYEES

Tie up with Ministry of Health to improve Central Railway Hospitals

Introduce AYUSH systems in 5 railway hospitals

Provide wireless devices to gang men to alert them of approaching trains

Reduce the weights of tools carried by gangman,trackman through value engineering

Toilets and Air conditioning in Locomotive cabs for drivers

SKILLING

Set up ‘Centres of Excellence’ for Skill Development in 1/2 workshops

PR skill training for customer facing roles

IR to partner with prominent NGO’s to partner for skill development of people in rural areas including Railway employees

DIGITAL INDIA

Integration of all ticketing services on one app

Integration of all customer feedback and complaint forums on one app

Commence integration of IT initiatives under a system wide Enterprise Resource Planning architecture

Handheld PoS terminals for sale of tickets – Target to reduce queue lengths

Best in class project management system based on drone and geo spatial technology – To be piloted for Dedicated freight corridor

Expand E-procurement into a paperless contract management system

TRANSPARENCY

CCTV coverage of Tatkal counters

Expand E-procurement into a paperless contract management system

YOUTH /INNOVATION

Internships for over 100 students/year across Engineering and MBA schools

Dedicated innovation fund to promote internal and external innovation.

FOREIGNERS

Ticket booking through international credit/debit cards

JOURNALISTS

E-ticketing facility on concessional passes

TOURISM

Partner State governments for operating tourist trains on revenue sharing

Upgraded National Rail Museum, Focus on promotion of other museums and heritage sites

Run Tiger circuit train with full travel package offerings

SUBURBAN

Mumbai – Push MUTP III and 2 elevated corridors Churchgate – Virar and CSTM-Panvel

Mumbai – Raise height of platforms with next year

Delhi – Work with State government to revive the Ring Railway consisting of 21 stations

Bangalore – Work with State government to build a comprehensive suburban system

Explore feasability of partnering with State governments for Suburban systems in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Chennai

Trivandrum – Work with State government to develop a suburban system

New investment policy outlining the engagement model with State governments for Suburban systems to be launched

Business

Initiative

FREIGHT

Full fledged market study on 40+ commodities

Launch of new delivery models e.g., Roll On Roll Off

Container traffic to be opened for all commodities except Coal and Mineral Ores

Pilot on time tabled freight, parcel and container trains

All good sheds to be opened for Container traffic, if operationally feasible

Rationalize tarriff structure

Multi point loading allowed

Part load container trains to be allowed during non peak season

Long term contracts with pre-determined price escalation

Differential tarriffs based on congestion on route

Key customer managers for big freight customers

Liberalise the PFT/ Siding policy

Online portal for PFT/ Siding approvals

Explore feasability of opening up of General purpose wagons for leasing

Operationalise Transloc

Take up modernization of 10 good sheds

Lease out space in railway warehouses to be utilised by third parties in lieu of modernisation and additional revenues

Develop cold storage warehouses on empty railway land on PPP

Complete overhaul of Parcel business including opening the sector to container traffic and online booking of Parcels

NON FARE REVENUES

Leverage Non fare revenues through – Station development, Advertising (additional 1000 Crores, 4 times current revenues), Monetising data, Monetising land, Overhaul of Parcel, Exports

Target to earn Rs 4000 Cr through exports by 2020.

Transform Parcel business – Liberalise the policy

PASSENGER

Preference to local domicile holders for award of commercial licenses at stations

Introduction of FM channles in trains on PPP basis

Support in installation, operation and maintenance of toilets by attracting CSR funds from corporates

Providing PR skills to customer facing personnel on a PPP basis

Install GPS based LED boards to provide real time information on upcoming halts in lieu of advertising rights

Install information boards in trains in lieu of advertising rights

Build satellite terminals with state partnerships in PPP mode

SNo

Structural Initiatives

1

Launch 7 missions – 25 Ton, Zero accident, PACE, RAFTAAR, Century, Accounting Reforms, Capacity Utilisation

2

Leverage Non fare revenues through – Station development, Advertising (additional 1000 Crores, 3 times current revenues), Monetising data, Monetising land, Overhaul of Parcel, Exports

3

Target to earn Rs 4000 Cr through exports by 2020.

4

Transform Parcel business – Liberalise the policy

5

Restructure the organisation – Unified cadre, Cross functional directorates

6

Set up Railway Planning and Investment organisation

7

Set up SRESHTHA (Special Railway Establishment for Strategic Technology and Holistic Advancement), niche railway research organisation

8

Set up SUTRA ( Special Unit for Transportation Research and Analytics), dedicated, cross functional data analytics team, manned with professional analysts

9

Launch National Rail Plan – to harmonise and integrate the rail network with other modes of transportation

10

Set up a Holding Company for all Railway PSUs

11

Build a test track to cut short the cycle of introduction of new rolling stock

It is for the second time in succession when Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu presented a Rail-Budget with no political colour. It was a usual practice of earlier Railway Ministers of various parties and regimes that they used to shower rail-gifts for their constituencies and states. But Suresh Prabhu has broken such an unholy political tradition of all earlier Union Railway Ministers.

Union Railway Minister should take care of increasing complaints about food-quality and unhygienic conditions where food to be served in trains is prepared. Also there is a sizable number of rail-passengers which do not consume rail-food because of some peculiar food-habits like ‘Jain Food’ without onion and garlic despite their being ‘forced’ compulsory paying cost of food with cost of rail-ticket in trains like ‘Rajdhani’ and ‘Shatabdi’. Variety of branded packaged food by reputed companies should be made available on payment of cost by giving sale-commission to rail staff. Abolishing charging food-cost with rail-fare will not only ensure hygiene but also will abolish ‘begging’ tips by rail-staff from the passengers. Rather scope of Indian Railway Catering & Tourism Corporation Limited (IRCTC) can be increased for preparing packaged food like is done in case of ‘Rail-Neer’ (mineral water).

Union Railway Ministry and Union Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs should formulate some system whereby cost of non-travel by Parliamentarians on their reserved accommodation may be charged from personal pockets of erring Parliamentarians. Presently it is quite often that Parliamentarians do not care to cancel reservation in case of non-travel because they have not to personally suffer any cost for non-travel resulting in usual ‘No vacancy’ chart especially in first-class air-conditioned rail-travel. Parliamentarians should be allowed free rail-facility only in second-class air-conditioned rail-travel with priority in reservation. Travel in higher class may only be on payment of cost-difference from personal pockets of Parliamentarians.

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