Parliamentary Committee's Recommendations for Indian Railways

The parliamentary standing committee on railways has proposed key strategies to diversify and enhance the freight and passenger services of Indian Railways.

Freight Services Enhancement

• Indian Railways should diversify beyond staple bulk commodities like coal, iron ore, and cement.
• Freight contributes nearly 65% of Indian Railways' revenue, with more than 60% from coal, iron ore, and cement.
• Recommendations include: 
  1. Improving the average speed of freight trains, currently at 25 km/h for 2023-24.
  2. Prioritizing development and usage of Dedicated Freight Corridors (DFCs) to alleviate congestion and improve efficiency.
  3. Introducing a market-driven, commercially viable freight service model that mimics the passenger system with varied options based on cost, speed, and service levels.

Passenger Services and Revenue

• Exploration of alternative revenue avenues, including enhanced onboard amenities to boost passenger base.
• Encouraging a shift from road and air transport to more sustainable rail options.

Station Redevelopment Under Amrit Bharat Scheme

• 1,337 stations targeted, with tenders awarded at 1,202 stations.
• Only 1 out of over 450 targeted stations was upgraded in FY25.
• Recommendations for: 
  1. Establishing a dedicated task force for better project oversight.
  2. Enhancing coordination among stakeholders and reducing bureaucratic delays.
  3. Evaluating the success of PPP models, particularly at Rani Kamalapati Railway Station, for scalability.

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project

• Rs 71,000 crore of the Rs 1.08 trillion sanctioned has been spent; physical progress at 48%.
• Advocacy for indigenous technology development under the Make-in-India initiative.
• Expansion of skilled workforce training at HSRTI Vadodara with international expertise.

Future High-Speed Rail Projects

• Feasibility studies and innovative financing models are recommended before sanctioning new corridors.