Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addressed Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 49 on July 23, 2025, regarding reforms to improve safety, efficiency, and project execution, focusing on the Gati Shakti National Master Plan for rail infrastructure. The response details various initiatives, including the establishment of Gati Shakti Directorates/Units, enhanced sanction powers, implementation of Kavach, station redevelopment, introduction of modern trains, promotion of digital transactions, and reforms in freight transportation. These reforms aim to expedite project approvals and implementation, enhance passenger experience, and improve freight services.
Key Points / Main Content:
Reforms in Indian Railways:
* Ongoing reforms to enhance safety, efficiency, passenger experience, and network expansion.
Gati Shakti Initiatives:
* PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) launched in October 2021 to transform infrastructure project planning and execution.
* Multi-disciplinary Gati Shakti Directorate created in Indian Railways and Gati Shakti Units in Zonal Railways, using existing resources.
* Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are prepared in consultation with stakeholders and infrastructure ministries/departments to expedite appraisal, sanction, and execution.
* Surveys for New Line, Gauge Conversion, and Doubling projects are conducted under the PM Gati Shakti NMP for multimodal connectivity infrastructure development.
Enhanced Sanction Powers:
* Increased sanction powers delegated to General Managers (GMs) and Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs) for faster project execution.
Contract Management:
* Full powers delegated to GMs for tender finalization.
* Implementation of Works Contract Management System (IRWCMS) and Contractor's eMB for transparent and quick contract management.
Safety and Technology:
* Kavach developed as the National Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system, with implementation underway in mission mode.
* Elimination of all unmanned level crossings on broad gauge and phased replacement of manned level crossings with RoBs/RUBs.
* Introduction of Rolling Blocks in 2023 for integrated maintenance/repair/replacement of assets, planned up to 52 weeks in advance.
Passenger Amenities and Services:
* Amrit Bharat Station scheme launched to redevelop 1,337 stations with world-class amenities.
* Introduction of Vande Bharat, Amrit Bharat, and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail trains with modern features.
* Launch of Bharat Gaurav Trains (BGT) to showcase India's cultural heritage through theme-based tourist circuits.
* Promotion of digital payment facilities at ticketing counters and catering units.
Freight Transportation:
* Reforms to increase freight include incentives, rebates, discounts, concessions, Goods Shed Development, General Purpose Wagon Investment Scheme (GPWIS), and a Business Development Portal.
* Gati Shakti Cargo Terminal initiative launched to fast-track approvals and establish cargo terminals. 112 GCTs commissioned.
* Railway India Post integration to develop a "Joint Parcel Product" for end-to-end parcel delivery solutions.
* Setting up a Coal Chain Coordination Group to coordinate with stakeholders in the coal chain.
Recruitment and Land Policy:
* Issuance of an annual recruitment calendar to streamline the hiring process.
* Streamlined Railway land lease policy to enable faster integrated planning and infrastructure development.
Project Progress:
* During the last three years and the current FY, 892 surveys (61,462 km) and 237 projects (9,703 km, costing ₹1,90,333 Crore) have been sanctioned.
* Average track commissioning increased from 4.2 km/day (2009-14) to 8.57 km/day (2014-25).
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Railways:
* Impact: Enhanced project planning and execution, increased safety and efficiency, improved passenger and freight services, streamlined processes, and better coordination with other ministries and stakeholders.
* Action Required: Continue implementing and monitoring the various reforms and initiatives, ensure coordination with stakeholders, and utilize the PM Gati Shakti framework for project planning and execution.
General Managers (GMs) and Divisional Railway Managers (DRMs):
* Impact: Greater autonomy and responsibility for project sanctioning and tender finalization, leading to faster project execution.
* Action Required: Utilize enhanced powers efficiently and transparently, ensuring compliance with established guidelines and procedures.
Passengers:
* Impact: Improved amenities at stations, enhanced travel experience through modern trains, and increased safety during train operations.
* Action Required: Utilize the new facilities and services, provide feedback for further improvements.
Freight Customers:
* Impact: Access to various incentives, rebates, discounts, and improved infrastructure for freight transportation.
* Action Required: Utilize the available incentives and infrastructure, engage with the Railways to address any issues or concerns.
Contractors:
* Impact: Transparent and quick contract management through IRWCMS and Contractor's eMB.
* Action Required: Utilize the online systems for contract management and billing, ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions.
Railway Employees:
* Impact: Timely filling of vacancies through the annual recruitment calendar.
* Action Required: Adhere to the recruitment calendar, participate in the recruitment process as required.
Key Entities Referenced
Gati Shakti National Master Plan: A national plan launched in October 2021 to transform the approach to planning and execution of infrastructure projects, particularly in the transportation sector. Aims to bring synergy between infrastructural sectors such as railways, shipping, roadways, telecommunications, and pipelines through collaboration.
Indian Railways: The primary railway operator in India, responsible for the development, maintenance, and operation of the country's rail network. Involved in implementing various reforms and projects to improve safety, efficiency, and infrastructure.
Kavach: A National Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system developed to improve safety in train operations on Indian Railways.
Amrit Bharat Station scheme: A scheme launched by Indian Railways aimed at providing world-class amenities to passengers and improving efficiency in train operations at Railway stations.
Vande Bharat trains: State of the art trains introduced on Indian Railways to enhance passenger experience and provide comfortable journey
Bharat Gaurav Trains: Theme based Tourist Circuit trains launched by Indian Railways with an objective to showcase India's rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places.
General Managers: Authority in Indian Railways with enhanced sanction powers for faster execution of projects.
Rolling Blocks: Concept introduced on Indian Railways in 2023 for integrated maintenance/repair/replacement of assets planned up to 52 weeks in advance on a rolling basis.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 49
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
GATI SHAKTI NATIONAL MASTER PLAN FOR RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE
*49. DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:
SHRI RAJESH VERMA:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has undertaken multiple reforms to
improve safety, efficiency and project execution in Indian Railways
and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the details of key objectives for introducing the Gati Shakti
National Master Plan for rail infrastructure;
(c) whether multidisciplinary Gati Shakti Directorates and Units have
been set up in Indian Railways and Zonal Railways respectively and
if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) are prepared in
consultation with other infrastructure Ministries and stakeholders
and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the reforms such as enhanced sanction powers to General
Managers and DRMs, ‘Kavach’ and Rolling Blocks have helped in
expediting approval and implementation of Indian Railway projects
and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 49 TO BE ANWERED ON 23.07.2025.
(a) to (e): 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, 2021 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.
The 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 has 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-MBhave 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 theme- based
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, 112
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 are
involved in coal chain, viz. coal companies, captive and commercial
mines, ports, power houses, industries and Indian Railways. To co-
ordinate 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 theuncertainty 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.
The launch of PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) has brought
transformative approach in planning and execution of infrastructural
transportation projects. The NMP, spanning across the entire country
has brought in synergy between the infrastructural sectors such as
railways, shipping, roadways, telecommunications, pipelines, etc.
through collaboration amongst concerned Ministries/State Governments
/ Departments, speeding up the clearances needed for the project
completion as well as planning at a faster pace.
Indian Railways has imbibed the principles of Gati Shakti in its project
planning process and now survey of all New Line, Gauge Conversion and
Doubling projects are taken up under PM Gati Shakti National Master
Plan (NMP) for the development of multimodal connectivity
infrastructure to various Economic Zones with an objective to have
integrated planning, enhanced logistics efficiency and remove gaps for
seamless movement of people, goods/ commodities i.e. agricultural
products, fertilizers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, limestone etc. and
services including connectivity to places.PM Gati Shakti Institutional mechanism is being extensively used for
ground surveys, land records, alignment of route and has led to
enhancement in the quality of preparation of Detailed Project Report and
reduction in project cost.
As a result of comprehensive planning of Railway projects under PM Gati
Shakti National Master Plan and better coordination among various
stakeholders, the sanction of service, sanction of projects and the pace
of laying/ commissioning of new tracks has also increased as under-
During last 3 years (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25) and current FY, 892 no.
Surveys (267 New line, 11 Gauge Conversion and 614 Doubling) of total
length 61,462 Km have been sanctioned across Indian Railways.
During last three years i.e. FY 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and the current
FY, 237 projects (40 New Line, 17 Gauge Conversion and 180 Doubling)
of total length 9,703 Km, costing approx. Rs 1,90,333 Crore have been
sanctioned across Indian Railways.
The details of commissioning / laying of new track across Indian
Railways is given below:-
Tracks
Period Average commissioning of tracks
Commissioned
2009-14 7,599 Km 4.2 Km/day
2014-25 34,428 Km 8.57 Km/day ( more than 2 times)
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