Indian Railways is fast tracking establishment of Gati Shakti Units (GSU) to give a push to the projects in 68 divisions across country, and remove bottlenecks in operations and improve loading. Central Railway (CR) and South East Central Railway (SECR) have posted officers at their respective Nagpur Divisions to set up the unit. CR has also segregated works to be carried out through the GSU while SECR is in the process of identifying and posting officers.

A Gati Shakti Unit is envisaged as Construction Unit at division working under the administration of Divisional Railway Manager (DRM). Already Engineering Branch is tasked with work in Open Line, the GSU is a new set up to work on completion of identified critical infrastructure works that are delayed and need a push.

An officer in rank of Chief Project Manager (CPM), basically Additional Divisional Railway Manager (ADRM), has assumed charge at CR’s Nagpur Division and several other officers have also been posted.

Similarly, at SECR, orders for posting of offices have been issued by Headquarters. While the post of CPM is filled by officers drawn from Engineering service, other posted to GSU includes officers from Signalling, TRD (Electrical), Accounts and Operations so that each of the aspect relating to execution of works takes care on the fast track mode. GSU, on paper, appears quite a strong unit as the officer in-charge has been provided massive power and there is no limit to utilise funds which are no longer an issue with Indian Railways.

With final decision resting with DRM to whom CPM would report, projects, many of them small in nature but quite important for enhancing the track capacity, could be completed soon.

The board has directed that Reconnaissance Engineering-cum-Traffic Survey or Preliminary Engineering Traffic Survey (PET) would henceforth be identified as feasibility surveys will be carried out through Gati Shakti units and prepared Detailed Project Reports (DPR). The feasibility report can be examined by Network Planning Group (NPG-Division) wherein it is suggested to co-opt Dy. CoM Planning/Headquarters and final call on approval would vest with DRM.

Previously, such matters were with Construction Unit and division would remain in dark as to survey but now with DRM itself in charge, the decision making is expected to be speeded that in turn benefit the Railways in time to come. Given the complexities of railways working, Board has permitted hiring the retired railway staff for working in GSU. Since the railway officers have field knowledge and experience of preparing drafts, the work can be executed in much faster way. GSU are also tasked