In a major move to give further impetus to Railways’ modernization plans, an Expert Group has been constituted under the chairmanship of Mr Sam Pitroda 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 formation of this significant committee was announced by the Union Railway Minister, Mr Dinesh Trivedi at a Press Conference.

The terms of Reference of the Committee would involve outlining strategies for modernization of Railways with a focus on track, signaling, rolling stock, stations and terminals; using ICT for improving efficiency and safety; augmenting existing capacities of Railways through indigenous development; reviewing projects and addressing PPP issues.

The Committee will inter alia address issues connected with organization, management and resource mobilization and professionalization of manpower on Indian Railways. The other eminent members of the Committee are

Mr Deepak Parekh chairman of HDFC Bank
Mr MS Verma former chairman of State Bank of India
Mr G Raghuram professor of IIM Ahmedabad
Dr Rajiv Lall MD of IDFC
Mr Vinayak Chatterjee chairman feedback of Infrastructure Services Limited
Mr Ranjan Jain adviser (infrastructure) of Railway Board

The committee will function at Delhi and is expected to submit its report in December 2011.