Lok Sabha Question No. 1650 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Shut down of IRSDC
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, DNV Senthilkumar. S., Subhash Ramrao Bhamre

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1650 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## SHUT DOWN OF IRSDC

1650: DR AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR. S.:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Indian Railways has ordered to dissolve the Indian Railways Stations Development Corporation (IRSDC);
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Indian  Railways  had earlier shutdown Indian Railways Organisation for Alternative Fuel (IROAF);
- (c)  if  so,  the  manner  in  which  the  closure  of  both  the  entities  will benefit the Indian Railways alongwith the details thereof;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  adequate  steps  to  protect the interest of employees of these two entities and if so, the details thereof;
- (e)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Indian  Railways  to  rationalize  railway bodies; and
- (f) the other steps taken by the Government for transforming railway stations in India into world-class 24*7 hubs?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1650 BY DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE, SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE, SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE, SHRI KULDEEP  RAI  SHARMA,  DR.  DNV  SENTHILKUMAR.  S.  AND  DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 08.12.2021 REGARDING SHUT DOWN OF IRSDC (a) to (c): Yes, Sir. A Special Purpose Vehicle, Indian Railway Stations Development Corporation Limited (IRSDC), a Joint Venture company of Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) and Ircon International Limited (IRCON) was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1956 on  12th  April,  2012.  The  activities  performed  by  both  IRSDC  and RLDA  under  station  development/redevelopment  programme  were identical. As such a need was felt that one of the two bodies should be identified as the sole functioning entity and given full responsibilities.  Accordingly,  it  was  decided  that  IRSDC  be  closed and the works presently assigned to IRSDC be transferred to RLDA being  a  Statutory  Authority  under  Railway  Act,  1989  and  Zonal Railways. Indian Railways Organisation for Alternative Fuel (IROAF) has been closed with effect from 07.09.2021 and its work has been redistributed between Northern Railway and Railway Board.

(d): Railway Staff working  in IROAF  have  been  repatriated  to  their concerned  Railway/Unit.  Railway  officers  working  in  IRSDC  are  being adjusted in Zonal Railways and Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA).

(e): Carrying out reforms and restructuring as per operational need is an ongoing exercise to keep the organization modern, updated and financially viable. Recently, a report prepared by Principal Economic Advisor, Ministry of Finance, Government of India on 'Rationalization of Government Bodies under  M/o  Railways  was  referred  to  M/o  Railways  indicating  proposed rationalization.  The  report  has  referred  to  Rationalization  of  Railway Schools,  Railway  hospitals,  Central/  Zonal  Training  Institutes,  CPSUs under  Ministry  of  Railways,  etc.  and  also  winding  up/merger  of  few institutes like closure of CORE, IROAF, COFMOW, IRSDC, etc.

(f):  Ministry of Railways through various agencies is undertaking technoeconomic feasibility studies of Railway stations.  Based on the outcome of these feasibility studies, stations are planned to be taken up for development in phases, especially the stations located in major cities, and important tourist destinations.

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