OREANDA-NEWS. September 21, 2011. 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, Shri Dinesh Trivedi at a Press Conference here today. Shri Sam Pitroda, Adviser to the Prime Minister of India, Shri M. S. Verma, former Chairman, SBI and a Member of this new Committee, the Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Vinay Mittal and the Board Members were among those present on the occasion.

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 –

• Shri Deepak Parekh, Chairman, HDFC Bank
• Shri M.S. Verma, former Chairman, State Bank of India
• Shri G. Raghuram, Professor, IIM, Ahmedabad
• Dr. Rajiv Lall, MD, IDFC
• Shri Vinayak Chatterjee, Chairman, Feedback, Infrastructure Services Limited
• Shri Ranjan Jain, Adviser (Infrastructure), Railway Board

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