Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/transportation/railways/indian-railways-failed-to-improve-on-mobility-outcomes-despite-spending-rs-2-5-lakh-crores-cag/articleshow/90688753.cms
Publisher: ET
The Indian Railways has failed to improve on mobility outcomes despite investing Rs 2.5 lakh crores on track infrastructure during 2008 to 2019. An Audit Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India found 31 compliance issues of the Ministry of Railways during 2019-20.
The CAG report highlighted the failure of ‘Mission Raftaar’ which was introduced in 2016-17 with a targeted average speed of 50 kilometres per hour (kmph) for mail or express trains and 75 kmph for freight trains by 2021-22.
“The average observed speed of Mail/Express and freight trains until 2019-20 was, however, still around 50.6 kmph and 23.6 kmph, respectively. Out of 478 superfast (SF) trains, the scheduled speed of 123 SF trains (26 per cent) was less than the specified speed of 55 kmph,” the CAG report said.
“Six main internal critical factors contributing 66 per cent of total detention of trains were identified as controllable. Indian Railways has no guaranteed delivery time for goods consignment. This was due to non-scheduling of Goods trains operation,” the report added.
The Ministry of Railways is said to have accepted all audit recommendations made by the CAG.
CAG also said that the Indian Railways incurred an avoidable expenditure of Rs 968.73 crores towards procurement of power from Bhartiya Rail Bijlee Company (BRBCL). “This avoidable expenditure includes Rs 463.30 crores towards fixed capacity charges and Rs 505.43 crores due to injudicious decision to discontinue power purchase agreement with TATA Power-Distribution and procurement of power from BRBCL at a higher tariff,” the CAG said.
The CAG also found flaws in the implementation of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) Project.
“DFCCIL incurred avoidable expenditure of ₹ 285.21 crores during the land acquisition process. The progress of the project got adversely affected due to delays in awarding contracts. There was also a delay in the appointment of consultants for up to 32 months. DFCCIL incurred avoidable extra expenditure of ₹ 2,233.81 crores till March 2021 towards price escalation. This was due to delay in completion of the project,” the CAG said.
