PAC critical of delay in completion of new rail line projects

Taking note of the long delay in executing new line projects, a parliamentary committee today was critical of Railways and suggested the national transporter should provide sufficient funds for completion of these projects.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), headed by Murli Manohar Joshi, in its latest report tabled in Parliament observed that many new line projects are taken up by Railways on the demand of people's representatives on socio-economic considerations to provide rail connectivity to backward and remote areas.
Railways has stated that there were 109 ongoing new line projects covering a route length of 11,985 km out of which only 12 were financially viable, 8 were national projects with assured funding and the remaining 97 projects being non-viable but sanctioned on socio-economic grounds.

The examination of 50 ongoing works of new lines sanctioned on socio-economic considerations by the PAC revealed that five projects sanctioned more than 20 years ago, nine sanctioned between 15 and 20 years ago and 36 sanctioned between 10 and 15 years ago were lying incomplete as on March 31, 2010 despite Railways having incurred expenditure of Rs 8549.
Some of the major deficiencies pointed out by the PAC are delay in preparation of detailed estimates and land acquisition, lack of coordination with state governments, Environment Ministry for forest clearance, law and order problems, militancy, insurgency and contractual failures.
The committee also observed that these projects continue to remain in a state of uncertainty for want of sufficient funds. The 22-member committee has recommended that adequate funds should be allocated for these projects so that they do not remain incomplete for years together.

"Since many projects suffer due non-availability of land, the committee suggests that before approval of a new line project, the availability of land should be ensured," it said.
It also suggested that Railways should prioritise the projects on socio-economic cost benefits calculation with proper consultation with state governments concerned.