House panel flags variance in Railways’ line doubling project data: ‘Nearly 74% fund spent but physical progress is just 39%?’

The panel said that the railways should exercise due diligence in identifying and addressing obstacles to ensure seamless project execution.

“This includes streamlining land acquisition, expediting clearances, and leveraging modern construction technologies to facilitate the timely completion of doubling projects, thereby effectively reducing traffic congestion. The committee also expects 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 stated.

The Ministry of Railways did not respond to a query sent by The Indian Express over disparity in financial and physical progress. However, a senior official said that the ministry would respond to the Parliamentary committee on its observations.

There are a total of 261 doubling or multi-tracking projects of a total length of 19,570 km across the Indian Railways, which are in planning, approval and construction stage. Out of this, 6,218 km has been commissioned.

According to data from the Ministry of Railways, the Indian Railways completed a doubling of 3,185.5 km of railway line out of a target of 1,700 km during 2022-23. In 2023-24, the railways completed the doubling of 2,244 km lines out of a target of 2,800 km. The target for railway line doubling in the upcoming financial year 2025-26 is 2,600 km at the cost of Rs 32,000 crore.

The total expenditure incurred in doubling railway lines during 2022-23 and 2023-24 was Rs 30,043 crore and Rs 36,806 crore, respectively.

Apart from railway line doubling, new lines, gauge conversion and track renewals are among the key projects being undertaken by the Indian Railways to remove the traffic congestion and ensure timely movement of trains with high carrying capacity.