The machines are
already being deployed for maintenance of track wherever the
track structure is suitable for the same and their number is
increasing progressively. The maintenance work of railway track
with machines is one of the asset maintenance activities undertaken
for delivering superior track geometry and making the rail travel
more comfortable and safe.
Machines are also
being used extensively in various railway workshops and maintenance
depots for maintenance of rolling stock and other railway assets
having a bearing on safety.
An action plan
has been drawn to procure more number of machines for complete
mechanization of essential activities of track renewal and maintenance.
According to the action plan, additional track machines worth
about Rs.2,100 crores are required to be procured apart from
replacement of existing machines on age-cum- condition basis.
The additional machines are likely to be in position by the
year 2012 subject to availability of funds. Certain activities
will however continue to be done through manual means as the
same cannot be done by machines.
This information
was given by the Minister of Railways Shri Nitish Kumar in reply
to a question from Shri Ram Pal Singh in the Lok Sabha today.
