Indian Railways is expected to make crucial appointments to the posts of General Managers and Divisional Railway Managers by next week. The order for posting of GMs and DRMs will be issued in two-three days, Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge said on Friday.
At least, five general manager posts are lying vacant including those for the Central, Western, South East Central and South Eastern Railways and for the coach factory in Chennai. Besides, the posts of Chairman, Member Traffic, Member Staff and Financial Commissioner are to be filled up as these are crucial for Railways. Member Mechanical Arunendra Kumar is holding additional charge of Chairman Railway Board.
“There are issues in filling up vacancies and we are trying to resolve it. We want to do it for good governance. The filling up of top posts is necessary for good administration,” Kharge said.
Railways have also decided to collaborate with the Rural Development Ministry to utilise MGNREGA fund for laying the new line between Nanded and Yavatmal in Maharashtra. “If successful, this idea would be implemented elsewhere. I have spoken to Rural Development Ministers,” Kharge said. The cost of the project is shared between Maharashtra Government and the Railways in 50:50 ratio.
Finance Ministry has also approved an allocation of Rs 600 crore for five projects in North Eastern states. The 20 km Harmuti- Naharlagun will be completed by the end of this year, 20 km Dudhnoi- Mehdipathar by March 2014 and the 172 km Rangapara-North lakhimpur to be completed by March 2014.
Kharge said 14 new lines, four gauge conversion and two doubling projects are in progress in the NE region. The total anticipated cost of these projects is Rs 38,311 crores. An expenditure of Rs 12,509 crore has been made till March 2013 and there is a throw forward of Rs 25,802 crores as on April 2013 for these projects. Kharge said the PM has advised the ministry to ensure that expenditure on two projects - lumding-Silchar (483km) and Bogibeel Bridge with linking lines (73kms) may be incurred without restricting the existing allotments.