Umbrella Works - Most important question

Umbrella works 

What is Umbrella Works? 

➔ Answer: To bring similar works at different locations under one umbrella and approved as a Single work at the Railway Board level. 

➔ The concept of Umbrella works was introduced in the year 2018-19 and continued till now 

Umbrella works - Two types: 

1. Umbrella Works belongs to one Zonal Railway / PU

2. Umbrella works belong to more than one Zonal Railway / PU

Salient Features: 

➔ Lump Sum provision made in the Pink Book under selected Plan Heads against which a number of works of a specific category can be executed by Railways 

➔ The procedure for the following Plan Heads 

1. 1100 - New Lines 

2. 1400 - Gauge Conversion 

3. 1500 - Doubling 

4. 3100 - Track Renewals 

5. 3500 - RE - Railway Electrification 

◆ Will be finalized by the Ministry of Railways. Upon receipt of communication from the Railway Board. 

◆ Zonal Railways will prepare DPR.  So that, the same will be processed for formal sanction through EBR / CCEA, etc. as the case may be  ( Vide OO No. 1 of 2017 issued vide letter No. 2015/O&M//5/4 dated 02.01.2017)  Click here for the letter 

• The same will be scrutinized and approved at an appropriate level for inclusion in next year's pink book as Individual Itemised Works if formally sanctioned. 

 

• # - Hashtag to Works in Pink Book  - means the necessary sanction is yet to be obtained.

Other Plan Heads: 

◆ For other plan heads and for works spreading over more than one zonal Railway, Addl.member/ PED will be the nodal directorate and will distribute the total cost and outlay provided in the book against the umbrella on a need basis to each zonal railway. 

◆ If the work value is more than Rs. 2.5 Crores, the same shall be sent to the Railway Board for formal approval before being taken up by the Zonal Railways 

◆ Detailed estimates to be sanctioned for each individual work separately under Umbrella work and shall be included in LAW - List of Approved Works. 

◆ Umbrella work remains in the Pink Book till all the works under the said Umbrella Work are executed and the cost is exhausted. 

◆ Ist phase - 80% of the cost of Umbrella work advised by PED- Principal Executive Director - Approved by GM. 

◆ 2nd Phase - The General Manager shall approve an additional 20% cost of Umbrella work throughout the year as the need arises with the prior approval of the Board. 

◆ GM can sanction up to Rs50 crores; if DPR exceeds Rs50 crores, the same shall be sent to the Railway Board for its sanction. Initially, the General Manager can sanction up to 80% of the umbrella cost. 

◆ The division-wise distribution of both above umbrella funds will be decided at zonal headquarters. 

◆ The new works shall be sanctioned merely as Umbrella work. 

◆ The name and cost of Umbrella work under different Plan Heads shall be decided jointly by the Executive Directors of the Nodal directorate in consultation with associate directorates and associate finance directorate in the Railway Board Office. 

Advantages: 

1. Umbrella Works entails Zero Based Budgeting indirectly in real-terms 

2. Utilise the investments in identified areas 

3. Gives flexibility to Zonal Railways to prioritize the work. 

4. Flexibility to sanction works throughout the year 

5. Channelize the Railway Investments in identified focus areas 

6. Reappropriation among the works under Umbrella works depends on the priority. $$$$$$