Public Private Partnerships
An ambitious target of Rs one lakh crore has been set to attract
investments through PPP route during the 12th Plan. This is a
challenging area for IR considering the capital intensive, long
gestation
nature of rail infrastructure projects and limited success
achieved so far.
Elevated Rail Corridor in Mumbai, parts of the DFC, redevelopment
of
stations, power generation/energy saving projects, freight
terminals are
areas proposed for private investment during the 12th Plan period.
Cooperation of state governments is also being sought to provide
momentum to these initiatives.
A target of Rs 1,000 crore each is proposed to be fixed for Rail
Land Development Authority and IR Station Development Corporation
in 2013-14.
The recently revamped participative policy enabling partnership
with ports, large mines, industry and investors addresses the
specific
concerns of private investors. The models seek to create a win-win
situation by ensuring payback of investment mainly through freight
apportionment. An investment of up to Rs 9,000 crore is expected
under
these projects including Rs 3,800 crore for port connectivity
projects, Rs
4,000 crore for coal mine connectivity and Rs 800 crore for iron
ore mines
connectivity improvements.
FOBs Across Stations
Some of the Hon’ble Members have requested for construction of
foot-over bridges across stations. While this does not form part
of the
existing scheme of things, I assure the august House that Railways
would be happy to become partners in such projects with the state
governments. Accordingly, a scheme for funding construction of
FOBs
across stations is being firmed up.
Rail-Based Industries
To meet the increasing demand, reduce dependence on imports
and to generate employment opportunities, following new
manufacturing/maintenance facilities are proposed to be set up:-
i. a new Forged Wheel Factory at Rae Bareli for which an MoU has
been signed with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL);
ii. a Greenfield Mainline Electrical Multiple Units (MEMU)
manufacturing facility at Bhilwara, Rajasthan in collaboration
with state government and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited
(BHEL);
iii. a coach manufacturing unit in Sonepat district, Haryana in
collaboration with the state government;
iv. midlife rehabilitation (MLR) Workshop at Kurnool, Andhra
Pradesh in collaboration with the state government;
v. conversion of Bikaner and Pratapgarh workshops to undertake
POH of BG wagons;
vi. a workshop for repair and rehabilitation of motorised bogies
at
Misrod, Madhya Pradesh;
vii. a new wagon maintenance workshop in Kalahandi district,
Odisha;
viii. a modern signalling equipment facility at Chandigarh through
PPP route.
As regards setting up of new coach factories at Palakkad and
Kolar, and a wagon factory in Ganjam district of Odisha, we are in
consultation with respective state governments. I am hopeful of
early
commencement of work.
Railways’ PSUs & Production Units
Madam, I take pride in informing the House that all the 11 Public
Sector Undertakings of the Railways performed very well and paid
highest ever dividend. They were successful in securing several
important contracts in other countries for
constructions/rehabilitation of
railway lines and supply of rolling stock, a testimony of their
professional strength. The dividend paid in 2011-12 was 14.3%
higher
than in the previous fiscal.
Madam, Railways’ Production Units have contributed immensely
to the growth of the organization by ensuring regular supply of
rolling
stock using improved technology. All of them achieved the
production
targets in 2011-12.
Scrap Disposal
Railways have been annually disposing of scrap which not only
generates revenue but also helps in de-cluttering the work space.
I
intend to institute a special drive during the year to take up
disposal of
scrap lying in stores depots, workshops, along the tracks and at
construction sites. A target of Rs 4,500 crore has been set for
2013-14.
Green Energy Initiatives
Railways remain firmly committed to protecting the environment
and promoting sustainable development and use of energy efficient
technologies. Some of the new steps that have been taken or are
proposed to be taken include:-
i. setting up of Railway Energy Management Company (REMC) to
harness potential of solar and wind energy;
ii. setting up of 75 MW windmill plants and energizing 1000 level
crossings with solar power;
iii. deployment of new generation energy efficient electric
locomotives and electrical multiple units (EMUs) saving about 60
crore units in 2011-12. Railways has also won the National
Energy Conservation Award;
iv. encourage more usage of agro-based and recycled paper and ban
use of plastic in catering.
Staff
The tradition of healthy and harmonious industrial relation across
length and breadth of Indian Railways was ensured during the year
by
active participation of labour unions and officers’ associations
in
decision making process at all levels of the management. This
strong
tradition continues to nurture the vast organization and help in
discharging its national duty.
Madam, our 14 lakh employees constitute our most valuable asset.
I feel extremely humbled as head of this mammoth organization
which
has given so much to the nation and touches the life of each one
of us.
Some of the measures I propose to take for their welfare are:--
i. concerted efforts to fill up approximately 1.52 lakh vacancies
this
year. It is a measure of popularity of railways as an employer
that
a staggering 2.2 crore applications were received. For the first
time,
Railway recruitment examinations were held at more than 60 cities
across the country. In the process, a backlog of about 47,000
vacancies earmarked for weaker sections and physically
challenged is likely to get cleared.
ii. construction of staff quarters has been hampered by funding
constraints. Encouraged by the success of Ministry of Urban
Development in constructing quarters through PPP mode, I
propose to adopt the same in the railways. Yet, I have enhanced
the fund allocation under staff quarters by 50% over previous year
to provide Rs 300 crore;
iii. provision of hostel facilities for single women railway
employees
at all Divisional headquarters;
iv. extending the treatment facility in case of medical emergency
to
RELHS beneficiaries to all cities where hospitals are empanelled
either with CGHS or with Railways;
v. condition of barracks would be improved to provide better
living
conditions to personnel of RPF;
vi. Considering the stress faced by loco-pilots particularly in
harsh
climatic conditions, it is proposed to provide water closets and
air
condition the locomotive cabs.
Skill Development
With a view to contributing to the national skill development
programme of the Government, Ministry of Railways would impart
skills to the youth in railway related trades in 25 locations
spread across
the length and breadth of the country. These locations are:
Agartala,
Alwar, Ankleshwar, Chandigarh, Dehradun, Dimapur, Imphal,
Jagdalpur, Jais, Katihar, Kazipet, Kollam, Koraput, Lumding,
Mangalore, Murshidabad, Nagpur, Naharlagun, Pathankot, Ranchi,
Ratlam, Shimla, Sirsa, Srinagar and Tiruchchirappalli.
I propose to set up a multi-disciplinary training institute at
Nagpur for imparting training in rail related electronics
technologies.
Madam Speaker, Kautilya counselled, “All undertakings depend
upon finance. Hence foremost attention shall be paid to the
treasury”.
The officers of Indian Railways responsible for professional
management of finances and accounts have to be endowed with
structured and professional training in contemporary areas and
equipped with necessary skills on a regular basis. This will
enable them
to face emerging challenges and tap opportunities for
strengthening the
finances of the organization. With this in view, I am happy to
announce
the setting up of an exclusive Centralized Training Institute at
Secunderabad – Indian Railways Institute of Financial Management
(IRIFM).
Railways is a fascinating organization. In order to motivate
students to study and undertake research on IR related issues at
M.Phil
& Ph.D levels, I propose to institute 5 fellowships in
national
universities. The fellowship will carry an appropriate stipend. I
also
propose to set up a Chair at TERI to promote railway related
research to
reduce our carbon footprint
Sports
Madam, Railways continued to excel in sports. In the London
Summer Olympics in 2012, Sushil Kumar won second consecutive medal
in Olympics. In the current year, Railways teams have already won
9
National Championships and the Railway Sports Promotion Board has
rightfully been awarded the ‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar –
2012’.
It has been decided that recipients of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna
Award and Dhyan Chand Award shall be provided facility of
Complimentary Card passes valid for travel by 1st Class/2nd AC.
Also,
Complimentary Card passes being issued to Olympic Medalists &
Dronacharya Awardees shall be valid for travel in
Rajdhani/Shatabdi
trains, as in the case of Arjuna Awardees. Travel by Duronto
trains shall
also be permitted on all Card passes issued to sportspersons who
have
the facility of travel by Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.
Saluting the Brave
Our brave and valiant soldiers make immense sacrifices to defend
our borders. As a humble token of IR’s gratitude, I have decided
to
extend the facility of Complimentary Card Pass valid in 1st Class/2AC
to
the parents of posthumous unmarried awardees of Maha Vir Chakra,
Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, President’s Police Medal
for
Gallantry and Police Medal for Gallantry.
I also wish to announce
that police gallantry awardees shall now
be granted one Complimentary Pass every year for travel along with
one
companion in 2 AC in Rajdhani/Shatabdi trains.
Presently freedom fighters are required to renew their passes
every year. This causes inconvenience to many of them in an
advanced
age. I have, therefore, decided to raise this requirement of
renewal to
three years.
Rail Heritage
Mountain Railways of India are the World Heritage Sites placing
India in an exclusive club of nations that include only
Switzerland and
Austria. We are truly proud of this and are committed to take
measures
to preserve them in good shape and health.
National Rail Museum, New Delhi is
a premier institution holding
a large number of priceless rail exhibits. It showcases Indian
Railways’
history and its evolution. The Museum has come to acquire a
prominent
place on the Delhi tourist map. To provide a memorable experience
to
the visitors especially the children, a revamp plan will be rolled
out in
2013-14.
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