NEW DELHI, 13 March (H.S.) : Dr. CM Ramesh, the Chairman

of the Standing Committee on Railways, delivered a report in the Lok Sabha. The

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways has advised the Ministry to

establish a specialized task force aimed at enhancing monitoring and coordination

among various stakeholders. The Committee emphasized the importance of

improving collaboration with local representatives and state governments to

minimize bureaucratic delays in railway-related projects.

As stated by a member of the committee, a total of 1,337

stations have been earmarked for development under the ‘Amrit Bharat Station

Scheme.’ Currently, tenders for development projects have been awarded, and

work is actively underway at 1,202 of these stations. The committee raised

concerns regarding the fact that only one station has been upgraded out of the

targeted 453 stations for the fiscal year 2024-25 (up to December 2024).

Furthermore, the committee has recommended that the redevelopment efforts under

the Amrit Bharat Station Yojana prioritize enhancements in crowd management to

avert any potential incidents. Additionally, the committee has called upon the

ministry to assess the effectiveness of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP)

model.

The committee indicated that the ministry has the

opportunity to enhance the operating ratio by actively increasing revenue and

managing operational costs. According to the committee’s report, the ministry

should prioritize the reduction of routine operational expenses by implementing

cost-efficient technologies, optimizing energy use, utilizing renewable energy

for traction, and diversifying sources of non-fare revenue.

The report from the committee reveals that the net income

of the railways has remained persistently low for the last three years. For the

fiscal year 2025-26, the estimated net revenue is projected to be Rs 3,041.31

crore, with passenger revenue expected to reach Rs 92,800 crore, which is

considerably lower than the freight revenue of Rs 1,88,000 crore.

The committee has recommended that the ministry explore

alternative methods to increase passenger revenue, potentially through the

enhancement of services and the improvement of onboard amenities. This strategy

seeks to broaden the passenger base by promoting a transition from road and air

travel to more sustainable railway alternatives. The report highlights the

importance of adopting a more strategic approach to cost optimization, which is

crucial for effectively managing the operational costs associated with

passenger services while maintaining affordability and strengthening overall

financial sustainability.

The report indicates that the committee has assessed the

total expenditure for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail (MAHSR) project to

be approximately Rs 1,08,000 crore. As of January 2025, Rs 71,116 crore has

already been utilized, with the overall physical progress reaching 48.55

percent. The committee has advised that feasibility studies should be

undertaken, alternative financing models should be investigated, and funding

should be obtained prior to the approval of the new corridor.

The committee’s report highlights that safety improvements

at level crossings, as well as the construction of road overpasses and

underpasses, are key priorities in the Annual Plan for 2025-26. A budget of Rs

706 crore and Rs 7000 crore has been designated for these initiatives,

respectively. Furthermore, the report calls on the Railways to establish a

robust grievance redressal system to address the issues raised by local

residents effectively.

The ongoing issue of waterlogging in RUBs creates

significant difficulties for residents. To mitigate this problem, the committee

has recommended that the Railways allocate sufficient budgetary resources for

routine maintenance and structural enhancements. These improvements should

include raising bridge heights, integrating modern technology, and establishing

effective drainage systems.

Railway experts and former

high-ranking railway officials have indicated that while the railways receive

numerous recommendations, they only implement them after a thorough process of

evaluation and assessment of their impact.

Hindusthan Samachar / Meenakshi Bhattacharya