Track Maintainers: MCNTM
No.2019/CE-I/GNS/4, dated 28.06.2024
Sub: Modified MCNTM (Manpower and Cost Norms for Track Maintainers) Formulae 2024 – Norms/ Yardsticks for Track Maintainers.
1. In order to fix the norms for calculation of total requirements of the manpower of Track Maintainers, Board (DG/HR, MI, MF and CRB&CEO) has approved the Modified MCNTM (Manpower and Cost Norms for Track Maintainers) Formulae 2024 with details as under:-
(i) Strength of Track Maintainers shall be calculated using the Modified MCNTM Formulae as under:
[0.8(T) + (0.4R) + [M1 + M2 + M3 + 0.75M4 + M5 + M6 + 0*M7 + 0.5M8] + [0.8S1 + 0.5S2 + 0.5S3 + S4 + 0.8S5 + S6 + S7 + 0*S8 + S9 + S10]
(ii) The factors T, R, M & S has been defined in Annexure-I. Details for calculation of manpower requirement are available on Railway Board’s website. It may be accessed through the path: www.indianrailways.gov.in/railwayboard >> “About Indian Railways” >> “Railway Board Directorates” >> “Civil Engineering” >> “12. Trackmen Related Matters” >> MCNTM – Reports & Circulars.
2. In addition to the said formulae for calculating man power requirements Board (DG/HR, MI, MF and CRB&CEO) has also approved the following:-
(i) Zonal Railways shall work out the requirement of manpower as per above new norms, every year as on 1st April,
(ii) Zonal Railways may outsource the track maintenance activities listed in Table-1 & 2 of Annexure-II (in addition to Track maintenance activities allowed vide Board’s letter dated 02.04.2007, enclosed) to the extent of percentage of total scope as provided in enclosed Annexure-II. Sufficient fund as per estimate to be demanded & kept in newly created PU-32A for outsourcing of manpower. Till the creation of New PU-32A, fund may be demanded & kept in the PU-32.
(iii) Funds equivalent to 75% of the salary saved due to shortfall in manpower (i.e. difference in manpower required as per Modified MCNTM norms & On-roll Strength) shall be demanded & kept in newly created PU-32A for outsourcing of manpower/ activities. Till the creation of New PU-32A, fund may be demanded & kept in the PU-32.
3. The requirement of funds to be workout out and demanded by Division in consultation with Principal Chief Engineer of Railways.
4. The modified MCNTM norms shall be reviewed again once maintenance as per Mobile Maintenance Units (MMUs) is fully in place.
5. Excel Sheet for the calculation of required manpower as per new norms will be provided on IRICEN portal in due course.
6. This issue with the concurrence of Finance Directorate of Ministry of Railways.
Annexure-I
Detail of T.R.M.&S.
| Primary Maintenance Activities | Auxiliary Maintenance Activities |
| Activities T (Affected by Traffic density)* | Activities M (Miscellaneous) |
| Activities R (Routine: Unaffected by traffic density)* | Activities S (Site-specific) |
| Note: (i) *Combine multiplying factor for all activities under ‘T’ is 0.8 (ii) *Combine multiplying factor for all activities under ‘R’ is 0.4 | |
‘M’ Activities & factors
| Activities- M | Recommended Factor |
| M1 – Monsoon Patrolling | 1 |
| M2 – Hot Weather Patrolling of LWR track | 1 |
| M3 – Cold Weather Patrolling of LWR track | 1 |
| M4 – Watching Vulnerable locations | 0.75 |
| M5 – Gate keeping at level crossings | 1 |
| M6 – Rest giving for keymen | 1 |
| M7 – Waterman duty | 0 |
| M8 – Store-watchman duty | 0.5 |
‘S’ Activities & factors
| Activities- S | Recommended Factor |
| S1 – Tunnel maintenance | 0.8 |
| S2 – Bridge substructure maintenance | 0.5 |
| S3 – Long Girder maintenance | 0.5 |
| S4 – Extra maintenance due to very sharp curve, deep cutting and steep gradients | 1 |
| S5 – Maintenance of tack on extremely bad formation | 0.8 |
| S6 – Lookout man duty | 1 |
| S7 – Fogsignal man duty | 1 |
| S8 – Filth removal from track | 0 |
| S9 – Security patrolling | 1 |
| S10 – Watching of water-level in suburban section | 1 |
Annexure-II
Zonal Railways may outsource the track maintenance activities listed in Table-1 & 2
Table-1
Main Line ‘T’ & ‘R’ Activities for outsourcing
| Activity | Description | Recommended Outsourcing in % |
| T-1 | Slack attention | 33% |
| T-2 | For tie tamper working | 50% |
| T-3 | Casual Renewal | 33% |
| T-4 | Repair Welding | 0% |
| R-1 | Lubrication of ERCs | 100% |
| R-2 | Shallow screening of track | 100% |
| R-3 | Loading, leading, unloading | 0% |
| R-4 | Overhauling of level crossings | 100% |
| R-5 | Watching caution spot & Misc | 0% |
| R-6 | Tree cutting for visibility | 80% |
| R-7 | Lubrication of rails in curves | 0% |
| R-8 | Accident relief and carcass removal in run-over case | 0% |
| R-9 | Bridge sleeper attention and renewal | 0% |
| R-10 | Pre-monsoon attention, such clearing of drains and waterways, cess repairs, de-weeding of tack and attention to cuttings and trolly refuges | 50% |
| R-11 | Creep pooling (approaches of bridge, turnout) | 0% |
| R-12 | Rectifying damage to L/C posts and gates | 0% |
Zonal Railways may outsource the track maintenance activities listed in Table-1 & 2
TabIe-2
Running Yard lines, ‘R’ activities for outsourcing
| Activity | Description | Recommended Outsourcing in % |
| R-1 | Slack attention | 33% |
| R-2 | For tie tamper working | 50% |
| R-3 | Casual Renewal | 33% |
| R-4 | Lubrication of ERCs | 100% |
| R-5 | Lubrication of Rail Joints | 50% |
| R-6 | Shallow screening (1/5 length) | 100% |
| R-7 | Loading, leading, unloading | 0% |
| R-8 | Lubrication of rails in curves | 100% |
| R-9 | Pre-monsoon attention, such as clearing of drains and waterways, cess repairs, de-weeding of track and attention to cuttings and trolly refuges | 50% |
Download Railway Board Circular dated 28.06.2024
Forward reference ⇒ 10.07.2024, RBE No.06/2025,