Railway Board has issued new guidelines on preparation of detailed project reports (DPR) and detailed estimates, so that, at a glance, the significance of a project can be grasped that would enable faster decision. The field units have been apprised of new way to submit the proposal for new project or seeking approval for revised estimates. In a nutshell, the Project Monitoring Cell, Railway Board, has sought a one page information so that while assessing the project one need not have to go through the entire proposal.

The key elements that must be taken into account by field units is mentioned in detail by Vikas Kumar Jain, Executive Director, Project Monitoring, Railway Board, through a communication to General Managers. First and foremost salient feature of the project being forwarded to Board for funds should be mentioned. Thereafter the summary of quantities that would be required, the unit cost and total cost of all main items of DPR/DE for new projects and comparison of all main items of DE and RE and reasons for variation should be incorporated in the proposal.

For the new line, doubling or gauge conversion, the information must have route length, state-wise break-up, estimated cost and completion cost and its period, Rate of Return, Land requirement (state-wise break-up) that of private, government and forest, and other technical details. The report should also have details as to project freight traffic and expected line capacity utilisation in case of doubling, etc.

The proforma shared by Board has columns related to other aspects like station building, RuBs, limited height subways, major and minor bridges, sleepers and fastening, office building, station building sq.km area, the requirement of quarters and other related details.