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• The much awaited Sam Pitroda committee report on rail modernisation is expected to stress for complete upgradation of railway's communication system and call for a centralised train monitoring system right from Rail Bhavan in the capital.In the report which would be presented on Monday, the committee could also suggest a dual-track system technology to figure out the track occupancy and mobile train radio communication (MTRC) for seamless communication between loco pilot and control room in major trunk routes. Currently the MTRC is operational only in 3,000km.
• The Pitroda committee, appointed by Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi in last September, is also likley to recommend an organisational transformation to carry out the modernisation drive.The committee has also sought for a substantial hike in Gross Budgetray Support to sustain the modernisation drive.Focusing on the need for modern signalling technologies for maximising track utilisation and high speed operation with safety, the Pitroda committee is expcted to highlight the drastic need to upgrade the prevailing system.Taking into account the need for huge fund required for undertaking modernisation drive, it could also suggest commercialisation of surplus land to generate additional revenue for railways.
• Trivedi has maintained that existing infrastructure in railways has outlived its utility and there is strong need of upgradation."The present railway system has outlived its utility. We are in some kind of Victorian age as far as the railways are concerned. Signalling is archaic. We have to take a big leap to embark upon a new generation," he had said. Recommending complete revamping of railways, the Pitroda committee could suggest a three-fold hike in the GBS in the coming Rail Budget. Last year railways has received Rs 20,000 crore as GBS.
• The Pitroda committee in its report could favour to identifying certain railway stations in the country for taking up the redevelopment work. The available land including the air space at stations should be utilised for business activities, including opening shopping centres, restaurants, offices etc.It has suggested for taking up minimum 100 stations to begin with and later on more stations should be included for the commercial utilisation. There are about 7,000 stations across the country.The Pitroda committee has also emphasised on expediting PPP projects and speedy execution of key projects like doubling and electrification projects.The committee has stressed upon the fact that the PPP projects should be monitored at the highest level on regular basis to speed up the implementation.
• The setting up of locomotive plants in Madhepura and Marhora, dedicated freight corridors, modernisation of stations, port connectivity are some major PPP projects of railways.Since the Railways are facing a financial crisis, PPP projects play a crucial role to attract private players.The panel has also envisaged energy saving projects through PPP ventures.The Pitroda panel has also strongly recommended for replacing the existing toilets with green toilets in trains.The committee in its report has suggested for providing internet access to as many trains. Railways have provided internent access to Kokata Rajdhani as a pilot project.Acknowledging the railways' prevailing condition, the expert group has recommended that there is a need for the government to spend Rs 5 lakh crore to modernise the national transporter. The 12th Five-Year Plan has already estimated an outlay of Rs 1.83 lakh crore for it.

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