Railways need 38 years to complete pending projects!

New Delhi, May 28 (UNI) At the present rate of funding, the Railways would require an incredible 38 years to complete its pending new line projects and 15 years for gauge conversion projects.

''Despite this, the Railways introduced 107 new projects during the last ten years. In 71 projects, even firm dates of commisssioning were not projected,'' says the CAG, decrying the tendency to take up new projects in defiance of the fixed norms and overlooking their viability and financial returns.

As per the works programme, 2005-06, a total of 149 projects -- 62 gauge conversion and 87 new line projects -- at an estimated cost of Rs 54,716.65 crore, were in progress.

Out of these, work was below 50 per cent in 105, between 50 and 75 per cent in 12 and between 75 and 90 per cent in eight projects.

Only 24 projects were more than 90 per cent complete.

''Contrary to the norms fixed for undertaking new projects, Railways have sanctioned 107 projects which are not financially viable as the expected rate of return from these projects is far below the norms,'' says the CAG report, which was tabled in Parliament.

The report said uncertainties in project funding and inadequate project planning had an adverse impact on the efficiency of their implementation, which resulted in non-delivery or delayed delivery of expected benefits.

''Delays in preparation of detailed estimates, lack of coordination with state governments for acquisition of land, insufficient delineation of the scope of projects, deficiencies in contracts and store management and weak monitoring mechanism contributed to time and cost overruns.'' In its recommendations, the CAG suggested that Railways should ensure that the systems and the norms established for selection of technically and financially viable projects were kept in view in future before any fresh projects are taken up.

It also recommended that the Railways work out a clear plan for completion of all the pending pojects within a reasonable time-frame.

Also, budget allotments should be in accordance with the timeframes fixed for completion.

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