The coordination and exchange of inputs among various departments and divisions are significantly enhanced through digitalization, ultimately amplifying the effectiveness and efficiency of the railway system. While the implementation is currently in its preliminary stages, R. S. Rajput, Managing Director, Chhattisgarh Railway Corporation Limited in an exclusive interview with Nisha Samant of Elets News Network (ENN), provides valuable insights into the effective strategies and forthcoming measures that align with the latest guidelines set by the Indian Railways. Edited Excerpts:

What are the key objectives and strategic goals you aim to achieve in advancing smart railways in the region?

The key objectives are to provide a cost-effective and safest mode of transport facility for passengers and goods. To achieve this implementation of the automation and the digitalization of the Railway system is needed. By Automation and digitalization the Railway network can advance towards smart Railways as digitalization play a big role in analyzing the data and automation helps in improvement in the operational efficiency, safety and security of the Railway System.

Can you provide us with an overview of the current state of the Railway System in Chhattisgarh and the challenges you have encountered in your role?

In 2018, the density of the Railway Network in the State of Chhattisgarh was only 0.89 Km/100 Sq. Km. area against the national average of 1.95 Km/100 Sq. Km. area. To minimize this gap, various Railway projects have been identified & are in various stages of implementation and commissioning. Further, one JV Company of Govt. of Chhattisgarh and the Ministry of Railways namely Chhattisgarh Railway Corporation Limited (CRCL) has also been formed for the implementation of various bankable Railway projects.

Being the Managing Director of a JV company involving both State and Central Government, the biggest challenge is to coordinate with the governments simultaneously since the priorities and preferences on some issues vary from Government to Government.

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Every individual/group of people in this country wants to have a railway network in their vicinity which sometimes leads to difficulty in the finalization of the alignment and sometimes even after finalization of the alignment the projects get halted due to various representations from other individuals/group of individuals not getting the railway line in their vicinity.

Apart from the above, the projects are to be implemented through PPP mode for which getting stakeholders for equity investment is the toughest job since every company/organisation/beneficiary wants to get the Railway network and other transport facilities without investing much to get more profits.

Could you elaborate on the initiative and strategies you have implemented to transform the railway system into a smart and efficient network?

At present CRCL is in the preliminary stages of the implementation of the projects. However, in future the effective strategies will be implemented and appropriate steps will be taken as per the latest guidelines of the Indian railways to transform the railway system into a smart and efficient network.

How do you leverage technology and innovation to enhance the safety and security measures within the railway system?

Technology makes work easier & innovation upgrades the technology. Technology helps in reducing labour which ultimately results in savings of time and timely execution of works making Railway operations safe and secure. Further, with the introduction of the latest technologies like interlocking etc., the automation of the Railway System has been increased with a fail-safe mechanism which provides security to the Railway system and ultimately the safety of the system is ensured.

What role does digitalization play in the developments and operations of Chhattisgarh Railway Corporation Limited? How has it improved the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the railway system?

Digitalisation makes working easy. Digitalisation helps store stats, data and other records in one place and one can get the details in just one click. Anyone in the organization with proper authority can access any document/file without bothering others and with full security of the system. This helps in the smooth and faster execution of the work by avoiding delays on individual accounts.

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In any railway system, coordination and exchange of inputs amongst various departments/divisions are the most important aspect for effective and efficient implementation and operation of the rail network. Digitalization makes the coordination and exchange of inputs much easier and ultimately the effectiveness & efficiency of the railway system are increased.

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