Railway Board is laying thrust on key economic activities for new line projects, like Energy, Mineral and Cement, High Density routes and Rail Sagar corridors. With merger of Rail Budget with General Budget, funds are no longer a constraint, so thinking in Rail Bhavan is to tap projects that can co-relate with key needs of growing economic needs, with focus on manufacturing. Further, another key decision relates to fast-tracking the rollout of new projects, for which Board has outlined detailed guidelines for the zones. At the same time, financial internal rate of return (FIRR) is maintained at minimum over 10 per cent.

 

General Managers of 18 Zones have been communicated by Board for projects that can help in decongesting the key rail corridors. The Zones have been asked to give thrust to untapped areas, particularly minerally rich routes, as Railways is investing heavily to reach 3000 Metric Tonnes loading target by year 2030. Similarly, Board has suggested initiation of process relating to acquisition of land, particularly diversion of forest land, shifting of utility like HT line crossing, sewage lines while submitting proposal for approval.

 

The parallel approach can save upon considerable time that is required for completing on paper work, as once area of land required for project is marked, the proposed alignment can also be worked out. Importantly, every new line or other important projects DPR must have prior approval from Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) of Railway Board. This ensures that only projects that have better rate of returns, or those categorised as social needs can be financed accordingly. Further, in any new railway project, invariably land acquisition faces biggest hurdle, and when it comes to diversion of forest land, the process is quite complex. So Board has directed submission of forest clearance documents on PRAVESH portal. The proposal must have field verification report of land and forest plan with Revenue and Forest officials Joint Measurement Survey (JMS).

 

Board feels same would save considerable time at time of start of actual work, mostly repetition of survey and help in fast tracking approvals from different agencies. General Arrangement Drawing (GAD)/Plans must incorporate details relating to shifting of utilities like HT line crossing, sewage lines etc. along with necessary application to local authorities for the same. Further given the long gestation period for railway projects, Board said, General Manager is empowered to declare project as Special Railway Project once PEC approval is received. The same would ensure that Zone officials can commence land acquisition process while the project is under scrutiny of Competency Authority. Also, General Managers can given nod for commencement of floating tenders, payment for processing land acquisition and for shifting of utilities.