Vision 2020 - Transportation Research Group of India

CHAPTER-VI
Government of India
Ministry of Railways
(Railway Board)
Critical Mission Areas
Removal of Infrastructural bottlenecks, creation of adequate capacity, design and delivery of highly efficient
market-driven services and safety and reliability of operations are critical elements of the plan to attain the highgrowth
goals outlined the Vision. Equally important would be the aspect of building institutional and
organizational capacity to deliver on these goals. These areas will be taken up in a mission mode.
6.1 Infrastructure
Capacity augmentation on the scale required for the Vision (outlined in Chapter-V) would not only require
massive resources but also call for organizational and project-execution challenge of an unprecedented
magnitude. Procedures pertaining identification, appraisal, approval and execution of projects would be
streamlined. Planning and project-execution process would be reorganized and reoriented to implement and
deliver whole projects (for instance, an entire route, rather than small fractions at a time) strictly within the
targeted time and budgeted expenditure. Operationally necessary high-priority projects would be identified,
sanctioned and assured full funding. PPP would be used to the maximum extent for efficient execution of projects
in areas like world-class stations, cold-chain facilities and connectivity to ports.
In the short to medium term, the emphasis would be on quick- payback projects such as freight bypasses,
terminal and line capacity works and opening of alternate routes to ease congested corridors. The long-term goal
would be to segregate freight and passenger corridors on major trunk routes and raise the speed and efficiency of
operations on both routes.
6.2 Safety - Zero tolerance for accidents
In 10 years time, Indian Railways would target to banish accidents from its operations. This would be achieved
through a combination of technological and HR interventions. Renewal, replacement, upgradation and
technological aids for early detection of flaws and mechanized, integrated maintenance of both track and rolling
stock would be planned and managed from the standpoint of attaining the goal of zero derailments. Crash -andfire
worthiness of coaches would be enhanced. Advanced signaling technology (such as automatic verification
of train movement and line occupation through track circuiting/axle counters, Train Protection Systems and Anti-
Collision Devices) would be used in combination with training of station and running staff to eliminate collisions.
Communication, inter-locking and warning devices at manned level crossing gates would be improved.
Unmanned level crossing gates would be progressively manned or protected or replaced by subways, Road
Over Bridges and Under Bridges (ROB & RUBs) in the next five years' time. Fencing of trucks at vulnerable
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