Minister of Railways, Shri Piyush Goyal said, gRailways is committed to ensuring high standards of safety, speed and service for Indian consumers and also ensuring contribution to national development. In the past one month, Indian Railways has taken significant transformative steps to ensure this goal.h
Several decisions announced by the Minister of Railways, Shri Piyush Goyal are as under
Highest priority to passenger safety
Overriding and perceptible priority to safety
Priority to track renewal over new lines/gauge conversion/ in allotment of rails
Tremendous stress on field inspections by officers
Overriding priority for granting maintenance blocks
Eliminating remaining 5,000 unmanned level crossings in a time-bound manner
Shift to LHB coaches from ICF coaches by next year
Provision of CCTV cameras in coaches and stations for enhanced security especially benefitting women and senior citizens
Ramping up electronic interlocking of signals in place of manual interlocking
Revamping the existing signalling system - use of TPWS (Train Protection & Warning System)and MTRC (Mobile Train Radio Communication). Also considering modern signalling systems for suburban and long distance trains
Using technology like ultra sonic frequency detection, cameras for detecting defects etc.
All RPF staff and TTEs to be in proper uniform while on duty to bring in transparency
RPF staff will not check tickets, which is the function of TTEs. They shall however assist ticket checking squads.
Transforming through technology
Stress on extensive use of mobile apps for monitoring and passenger services
All stations and trains to have high speed wi-fi connectivity
Proposed to increase speed of around 700 trains with effect from 1st November 2017. 48 trains are being converted from Mail express to the Superfast category
Expediting the project for GPS based real time monitoring of train movement
Expediting satellite based mapping of all Railway assets through ISRO
Energy efficiency
Completion of electrification by the next 4-5 years. This will lead to savings in energy costs of over Rs. 10,000 cr while reducing pollution and dependence on imported diesel
100% LED lighting and energy efficient appliances like fans, ACs etc. to be introduced in in trains, stations, office buildings and residential colonies in a time bound manner
Faster Redevelopment of stations
About 20 stations will be modernised in an expedited manner with superior infrastructure and passenger facilities including hotels, eateries, shopping, disabled friendly, multimodal transport hub, security etc. by December 2018
Identifying additional stations and trying to create a self-financing business model like reassessing tenure of contract, access control and freedom to sublease etc.
Railway Stations as Multi-utility centres
Many stations that receive very few trains in a day are proposed to be used as Multi-utility centres for activities like yoga centres, skilling, educational purposes etc.
Upgrading health and education facilities
In addition, schools and hospitals operated by Indian Railways will be improved with infrastructure facilities, which will benefit not only railway employees but also other people
Human resources
Tremendous stress is being laid on welfare of human resources
Grievance Redressal Camps are being organised regularly. Grievance Redressal Cells are being set up in every Zonal/divisional headquarters for hearing employee complaints
Extensive delegation of powers is being done
Process reforms to improve the efficiency of the system is being taken up in an aggressive manner
Reduction in number of organisational layers is being analysed
Posting of brilliant and enthusiastic officers as Station Directors at 75 A1 Class Stations to bring dynamism in operations
Posting additional ADRMs to strengthen divisional work by reallocation from headquarters
Focus on welfare of field staff
Improving overall working conditions of Group D category staff. For example, gang-men, who are responsible to ensuring track safety, and who have to walk around 15-16 kms on an average in a particular day will be provided with comfortable uniforms and better quality shoes. Their living quarters (Gang huts) too will be improved
Running rooms of loco drivers are being air conditioned
Enhancing Railway Revenue through monetisation of assets
Monetisation of railway assets will improve finances and the operating ratio, freeing up resources for critical railway projects. This will be done by making land monetisation attractive by changing various rules and regulations.
These improvements will help the lifeline of our nation to flourish as well as contribute more to our economic and social development. The transformation of the Indian Railways is well under way to ensure it is not just the compulsion of the people but the choice of the people.
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