“The proposal for revision of powers of field units for sanction of
projects was under consideration of the Board for some time. With a view to
fast-track the execution of Railway Projects, it has now been decided by the Board to enhance the powers of GMs
(general managers) and DRMs (divisional railway managers) to sanction
projects,” said a circular issued by the Railway Board on Wednesday 8 May.
After this delegation of powers,
GMs of various railway zones can now sanction infrastructure projects such as
yard remodelling, track renewal, bridge and tunnel work, etc, worth up to Rs 50
crore. It is 20 times more than their
previous sanctioning power of Rs 2.5 crore. Senior railway officials called
it a big move that will expedite various projects, which used to get delayed in
the want of approval from the Railway Board.
“Now GMs and DRMs do not need to move files to the Railway Board for
approvals of projects of the financial limit mentioned in the circular. This will reduce red-tapism and
accelerate the progress of work,” a senior railway official said.