Lok Sabha Question No. 4251 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-26
Subject: System Reforms in Train Operations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Zia Ur Rehman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4251 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.03.2025

## SYSTEM REFORMS IN TRAIN OPERATIONS

4251. SHRI ZIA UR REHMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  there  is  a  dire  need  for systemic reforms in train operations;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  of  the  initiatives  proposed  to  be  taken  by  the Government in this regard; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?;

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (c)  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  themebased 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  coordinate 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.

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