E. Sreedharan Appointed as One Many Committee for Reforming Indian Railways

Metro Man to the Rescue: E. Sreedharan Appointed as One Many Committee for Reforming Indian Railways

E. Sreedharan has been appointed as a one man committee to suggest a "proper system and procedure to ensure proper accountability and transparency" . Principal Advisor to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation/DMRC, and “Metro Man” E. Sreedharan has been appointed to suggest the system for General managers and other functionaries taking the commercial decisions.

The Indian Railways has requested an interim report within the two weeks and the final report not exceeding three months, according to official sources. Sreedharan is the former MD of DMRC and he has received the order from the Railway Board asking him to head the committee.

The status of the nodal directorate has been designated to the Civil Engineering Directorate of Railway Board. This body is responsible for making the recommendations.

The committee has been appointed even as the new Minister for Railways, Suresh Prabhu takes hold of the Indian Railways and initiates sweeping reforms. The Indian Railways has now been positioned so that it can attract private as well as foreign investment for mega rail projects.

As there has been a change of guard recently and Prabhu has taken over the Railways, he is focusing on bring about changes that can benefit the entire system and work out to the advantage of the Indian Railways in every way.

The order for the Metro Man was issued by the Rail Bhawan on Thursday, 13th November. In his capacity as a one man committee, Sreedharan has also been given the freedom to co-opt anyone he chooses to work out strategies and procedures for General Managers and functionaries, especially in the area of commercial aspects such as tendering. Prabhu has also made it clear that field for tendering and procurement should not reach the minister at all and it is the GMs who will now make these decisions.

Sreedharan has been asked to provide the interim report within two weeks and a final report not exceeding 3 months. The committee will also recommend a professional organisation for the achievement of this goal.
“The committee would suggest the system and procedure and a manual of instruction to be followed to implement the above. The Management Information System to be used for proper and time-bound disposal of the cases,” the order says, according to the Indian Express.

The Indian Railways remains plagued with many problems though reforms have been initiated. Apart from lack of updated infrastructure, there is also a problem in terms of resources. Re-development of the crumbling railway stations in many parts of the country will only be possible if foreign and private investment comes to this sector.

Given that Indian Railways is now facing competition from low budget and cost conscious airlines which offer great deals to clients, the public transportation system will have to reinvent itself in order to stave off the competition. Without this, it won’t be able to keep up with changing times and competition. Hopefully, with the Metro Man on board, Indian Railways is headed to brighter future and better prospects.