Reforms is a continuous and ongoing process in Indian Railways. These reforms are carried out to enhance safety and efficiency in train operations, improve passenger experience, expediting network expansion etc. Following reforms have been carried out on Indian Railways in recent past: -

(i) Gati Shakti Directorate/Units: The PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) was launched in October 21 to bring a transformative change in the approach towards planning and execution of infrastructural projects pertaining to the transportation sector.

Indian Railways has immediately imbibed the principles of Gati Shakti in its project planning process. Drawing upon existing resources, a multi-disciplinary Gati Shakti Directorate has been created in Indian Railways. Similarly Gati Shakti Units have been created in Zonal railways. The Project DPRs are made after consultation with all stakeholders and other infrastructure ministries/departments.

This above initiatives have expedited the appraisal /sanction process and execution of Projects.

(ii) Enhanced power of sanction of Projects to GMs and DRMs: The power of sanction for various projects have been enhanced for GMs and DRMs for faster execution of projects.

(iii) Contracts finalisation and management: Full powers have been delegated to General Managers for finalisation of the tenders. Further, Works Contract Management System (IRWCMS) and Contractor's e-MB have been implemented for transparent & quick/fast contract management and contractor's billing.

(iv) Development and implementation of Kavach: To improve safety in train operations, Kavach has been developed as National Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system on Indian Railways. The work of implementation of Kavach has been taken up in mission mode on Indian Railways.

(v) Elimination of level crossings: To improve safety of train operations and road users, all unmanned level crossings on Broad gauge has been eliminated. Further, it has also been decided to replace all manned level crossings in a phased manner by construction of RoBs/RUBs.

(vi) Station Redevelopment: The Indian Railway has launched the Amrit Bharat Station scheme aimed at providing world class amenities to passengers and improving efficiency in train operations at Railway stations. So far, 1,337 stations have been taken up for redevelopment in the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.

(vii) Introduction of Modern trains: To enhance passenger experience and provide comfortable journey, State of the Art Vande Bharat trains, Amrit Bharat Trains and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail with modern features have been introduced on Indian Railways.

(viii) Bharat Gaurav Trains: Indian Railways have launched theme- based Tourist Circuit trains named as Bharat Gaurav Trains (BGT) with an objective to showcase India's rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world through professionals of the tourism sector and other potential service providers.

(ix) Promoting Digital Transactions at Stations & Trains: Digital payment facility at various customer interface points such as Ticketing facility, Catering units etc.

(x) Freight transportation: With the view of increasing freight, Indian Railways has carried out major reforms in the form of many liberalized incentives in form of freight rebates, discounts on assured businesses, concessions on short leads, mini rake loadings, goods shed development, General Purpose Wagon Investment Scheme (GPWIS), Business Development Portal etc.

(xi) Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals: Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal initiative has been launched to fast track the approvals and ease of establishing Cargo Terminals to increase the freight loading share of IR. So far, 95 GCTs have been commissioned.

(xii) Railway- India Post Integration to develop "Joint Parcel Product": As a joint collaborative initiative between two Government Departments to carry out business, a complete solution of parcel delivery has been started in which First-mile-last-mile connectivity by Department of Posts and Intermediate connectivity from station to station has been provided through Railways.

(xiii) Coal Chain Coordination Group: Large number of stakeholders involved in coal chain, viz. coal companies, captive and commercial mines, ports, power houses, industries and Indian Railways. To co-ordinate with all the stakeholders it has been planned to setup Coal Chain Coordination Group in Ministry of Railways.

(xiv) Annual Recruitment Calendar: Indian Railways has issued an annual calendar for recruitments which will not only reduce the uncertainty and waiting period for candidates but also enables the railways to fill vacancies in a timely manner.

(xv) Railway land policy: To streamline and simplify Railway's land lease policy to enable faster integrated planning and development of infrastructure across the country under the PM Gati Shakti framework, the long-term land leasing policy has been issued.

(xvi) Introduction of Rolling blocks: Concept of Rolling Blocks have been introduced on Indian Railways in 2023 by Gazette notification wherein work of integrated/ maintenance/repair/replacement of assets is planned upto 52 weeks in advance on rolling basis and executed as per plan by the Divisions.

This information was given by the Union Minister of Railways, Information & Broadcasting and Electronics & Information Technology Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Dharmendra Tewari/Shatrunjay Kumar

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