Page 119 - IRSEM_Main Book

Para No. 5.1.2 Annexure: 5-A1

Preparation of the Preliminary Works Programme
(Extract of Chapter VI of Indian Railways Code for the Engineering Department)

609. The Chief Engineer of the Railway will be primarily responsible for ensuring that the
proposals prepared by the various departments are complete in all respects and are
correctly prepared. The overall priorities within the ceiling given by the Board will also be
fixed by him in consultation with the General Manager and other Heads of Departments. He
will be responsible for the preparation and timely submission of the Preliminary and the
Final Works Programme.

610. In or about June/July each year the Railway Board should convey to each Railway, in
respect of each Plan Head, the total outlay within which the Works Programme should be
framed by the Railway. A list of the Plan Heads is given in Annexure I. On receipt of this
financial ceiling the Railway Administrations should take stock of the schemes already
formulated and those under consideration and select for inclusion in the Works Programme
within the financial ceiling such works as are expected to yield the maximum benefit to the
Railway, preference being given to works in progress. Further necessary changes in the
investments schedule may be made in order to work within the financial ceiling for the year
such modifications being taken note of in framing the Preliminary Works Programme and
revising the financial implications, if necessary.

611. The Preliminary Works Programme for the following year should be submitted by the
Railways to the Railway Board by 1st week of September or such earlier date as may be laid
down by the Board. Proper financial appraisal of each work should be given in the
Preliminary Works Programme together with the comments of the Financial Adviser and
Accounts Officer.

612. The project cost should be based on firm data both as to quantity and rates at current
price levels, and should any increase occur in prices during the period intervening between
the initial preparation of the project estimate and its inclusion in the Works Programme, the
estimate should be updated taking into account any significant changes in the wages and
material prices as well as increase in freights and fares. No other increase such as on account
of change in scope of the project should be allowed without prior reasons being adduced for
acceptance by the Railway Board. A sketch showing the proposal should accompany each
proposal.

613. Each investment proposal should be accompanied by a detailed plan showing the
scheduling of the project to match the traffic requirements and the financial outlay
proposed for the year should be in accordance with this project schedule to enable the
Railway Board to arrange for a realistic funds allocation for implementation of the
programme.

614. In deciding the outlays for the various works Railway Administrations must endeavour
to progress all works in progress speedily and bring them into use at the earliest possible
date. A work which has been sanctioned and for which funds have been allotted whether in
the original or supplementary budget of a year should be treated as a "Work in progress" for
the next year and provided for as such in the programme. Such works should be grouped as
indicated in para-619.

Chapter 5: Planning, Estimating & Survey Page 91 of 535