Railways committee flags slow progress in track doubling despite high spending
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Railways has raised concerns over a significant disparity between expenditure and physical progress in railway track doubling projects.
In its Demand for Grants (2024-25) report, tabled during the ongoing Budget Session of Parliament, the Committee observed that against a target of 2,900 km, the Railways had completed only 1,134 km (39.10%) by December 2024.
Surprisingly, though, while only 39.1% of the physical target was achieved, 73.85% of the funds allocated for this purpose was spent during the period under review.
The report highlighted that while the Budget Estimate (BE) for doubling was Rs 29,312 crore, the Revised Estimate (RE) was raised to Rs 31,036.86 crore, with Rs 22,918.57 crore (73.85% of RE) already utilised by December 2024.
The Committee noted that while the financial utilisation of the budget stood at nearly 74 per cent, the physical achievement of the target was a mere 39 per cent. While asking the Ministry to apprise the Committee of the factors leading to this “disparity”, the Committee urged the Railways to exercise due diligence in identifying and addressing obstacles.
This would entail streamlining land acquisition, expediting clearances, and leveraging modern construction technologies to facilitate timely completion of doubling projects necessary to reduce traffic congestion, the report said and added that the Committee would expect the Railways to ensure full utilisation of the budget sanctioned and achievement of the physical targets set for doubling of lines in 2024-25.
The report further pointed out that the Railways have consistently fallen short in meeting targets for closing manned level crossings. It acknowledged challenges such as land acquisition, shifting of public utilities, design-related issues, and local resistance in constructing road over-bridges (ROBs) and road under-bridges (RUBs).
Additionally, despite the construction of ROBs, many level crossings remain in use, as pedestrians struggle with long walking distances required to access the bridges.
