Railway Board Chairman Satish Kumar has issued a critical appeal to the Finance Ministry, underscoring the urgent need for additional staff to handle the Railways’ expanding assets and ensure safe train operations. Kumar addressed his concerns to Secretary (Expenditure) Manoj Govil, emphasizing the necessity for the Railways to gain the authority to create non-gazetted posts in safety and essential categories.
Significant Increase in Capital Expenditure
The Railways has experienced a significant increase in capital expenditure, rising from Rs 1.48 lakh crore in 2019-20 to Rs 2.62 lakh crore in 2023-24. This surge in spending has led to an expansion of assets, including a 269% increase in track circuits, a 79% rise in railway electrification, and a 227% growth in loco sheds over the past five years. Kumar’s letter detailed a 486% increase in Kavach coverage, a 59% rise in locomotives, and a 30% increase in train coaches.
Kumar highlighted that meeting the Railways’ ambitious Mission 3,000 MT target by 2030 requires a corresponding increase in personnel to manage both train operations and infrastructure maintenance. He argued that outsourcing maintenance tasks is impractical due to safety concerns and the need for direct management of tracks, bridges, and signaling systems.
The Chairman concluded by urging the Finance Ministry to delegate the power to the Ministry of Railways to create non-gazetted posts as needed, either by matching existing vacancies on a 1:1 basis or allowing new positions without requiring equivalent matching vacancies.
