Why in News?
The Ministry of Railways announced 8 new structural reforms under the Reform Express initiative, taking the total to 17 reforms as part of the target of52 reforms in 52 weeks.
Key Highlights
- Aim: Reduce logistics costs, improve freight efficiency, encourage private investment, and promote green transport.
- Fly Ash Transport: Introduction of containerised transport using ISO containers for pollution-free movement.
- Container Sector: Unified Pan-India Container Train Operator (CTO) licence replacing multiple categories.
- Fertiliser Transport: Simplified freight tariff and permission for containerised movement.
- Skilling Policy: QR code-enabled certification for railway artisans in critical trades.
- Construction Reforms: Better contractor selection, mandatory insurance, and Rail Bhoomi digital platform for land acquisition.
- Wagon Design: Industries can now design specialised freight wagons with RDSO (Research Designs and Standards Organisation) approval.
- Petroleum Transport: Oil companies can own or lease specialised POL (Petroleum, Oil and Lubricants) tank wagons.
- Foodgrain Transport: Simplified freight rates and containerised transport for foodgrains, flour, and pulses.
Significance
- Promotes ease of doing business and multimodal logistics.
- Shifts freight from road to rail, reducing costs and carbon emissions.
- Supports PM Gati Shakti and sustainable freight transportation.
[2025] Consider the following statements:
I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a future ready railway system by 2028.
II. Kavach’ is an Automatic Train Protection system, development in collaboration with Germany.
III. ‘Kavach’ system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section.
Which of the statements given above are not correct?
[A] I and II only
[B] II and III only
[C] I and III only
[D] I, II and III