Mr Bharatsinh Solanki minister of state for railways informed the Rajya Sabha that the ministry of railways has constituted an Expert Committee for Modernization of Indian Railways under the chairmanship of Mr Sam Pitroda.

The aim is to recommend ways and means to modernize Indian Railways to meet the challenges of economic growth, the aspirations of the common man, the needs of changing technology and the expanding market, while at the same time ensuring adequate focus on addressing social and strategic requirements of the country in consonance with Indian Railways’ national aspirations.

The terms of the reference of the Committee also includes recommendations on strategies for modernization of Railways with a focus on track, signaling, rolling stock, stations and terminals, for improving efficiency and safety, augmenting existing capacities of Railways through indigenous development and review of projects and PPP issues.

The committee has been given time of two months to submit its interim report and up to March 31st 2012 to submit a final report.