In a significant development, Hon’ble Rail Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed the ‘Indian Railways Construction Manual 2023’. This comprehensive manual is poised to streamline various construction related activities, encompassing crucial aspects such as Land Acquisition, Forest Clearance, Bridge Design and Tunnel Construction.
More Details:
The Union Minister of Railways, Communications and Electronic & Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw unveiled the ‘The Indian Railways Construction Manual, 2023’ in New Delhi. The construction manual will help in many activities including Land acquisition, forest clearance, bridge design, contract management, tunnel construction, road flyover/ under bridges. This manual would help us to achieve and to become the world’s fastest growing rail network.
The Union Minister also appreciated the work done by Shri Roop Narayan Sunkar, former Member (Infrastructure), Railway Board and the entire team in preparing this manual. Indian Railway Institute of Civil Engineering and the team of construction officers of different zonal railways have prepared this manual.
Significance of the Manual:
- This manual is an important milestone in the efforts of Indian Railways to equip the construction officials with the required knowledge for execution of construction projects at a faster pace.
- As per the National Rail Plan, Indian Railways has to develop capacity by 2030 that will cater to the growing demand up to the year 2050.
- To achieve this, Indian Railways has to increase its pace of building its infrastructure i.e. commissioning of supercritical and critical projects, construction of new lines; completion of gauge conversion, multi tracking, automatic signalling and traffic facility works etc.
Minister’s Perspective:
Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said “It is a real pleasure that the construction manual is now in a new form and in tune with our time. Since Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has taken charge, Railway has been his focus including construction of new tracks and stations and in this mission, this manual will play a key role as the previous version of the manual was old (around 1960) and now new reforms have been incorporated including EPC contracts, bridge construction, execution of signalling, electrical and non-interlocking works etc. which have now been standardised through the new manual”.
Manual Overview:
Addressing the need for a contemporary guide for construction officials, the manual adopts a simple language for easy comprehension by field officials. This forward looking approach ensures that the construction activities align with the evolving needs of the railway sector, fostering efficiency and progress in line with national development goals.
Source: PIB- Press Release | Images Credit: PIB
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