Lok Sabha Question No. 270 (STARRED), answered on 2018-03-14
Subject: Withdrawal of Stoppages/Halts
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL, GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 270 TO BE ANSWERED ON 14.03.2018

## WITHDRAWAL OF STOPPAGES/HALTS

*270.   SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL: DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Railways has decided to withdraw stoppages/halts for  various  express,  superfast  and  mail  trains  at  non-profitable railway  stations  in  the  country,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the reasons  therefor  along  with  the  names  of  trains/stations  whose stoppages/halts have been withdrawn/ reduced;
- (b)  whether  apart  from  slowing  down  the  network  and  affecting punctuality  of  trains,  these  stoppages/halts  cause  losses  of  Rs.1 crore  a  day,  which  include  Rs.  8,000  extra  spent  on  fuel  per  halt, besides other operational costs associated with these stoppages/halts and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  has  initiated  any  survey  to  find  out  the profitability of various railway stations and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the  criteria  laid  down  to  grant  stoppage/halt  at  a  particular railway station; and
- (e)  whether  the  Government  is  ready  to  ensure  more  Mainline Electric  Multiple  Unit  (MEMU)  services  at  small  stations  in  the context  of  withdrawal  of  stoppages/  halts  and  if  so,  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF STARRED QUESTION  NO.  270  BY  SHRI  K.C.  VENUGOPAL  AND  DR.  GOKARAJU GANGA  RAJU TO BE ANSWERED  IN LOK SABHA  ON 14.03.2018 REGARDING WITHDRAWAL OF STOPPAGES/HALTS

- (a): There is no proposal, at present, to  withdraw stoppages at any of the stations over Indian Railways.  However, review of the stoppages is an ongoing process on Indian Railways and for various reasons Railways may sometime be required to withdraw stoppages.
- (b): Apart  from  slowing  down  the  trains  and  affecting  punctuality, provision  of  additional  stoppage  for  2  minutes  in  Mail/Express  trains entails  financial  implications  ranging  from ₹ 12,716/to ₹ 24,506/ (calculated during 2015-16) depending upon various factors like composition of train, cost of fuel, cost of train kilometer lost and type of traction used.
- (c): No, Madam.
- (d): At  present,  Indian  Railways  have  a  policy  on  stoppage  of  trains. Some of the important criteria are as under:-
- (1) Total sale of tickets at the station for both Up and Down directions distance wise, class-wise & cost wise.
- (2)
- Traffic pattern at the station.
- (3) Availability  of  alternative  services,  convenience  and  occupancy  of existing services.
- (4) Nature of train and occupancy in question.
- (5) Passing time of the train in question at the station where stoppage is under consideration.
- (6) Operational  constraints-  effect  on  the  line  capacity  of  the  section and punctuality of other services.

The  policy  guidelines  which  encompass  both  the  operational  and commercial aspects for provision of stoppage of trains  inter alia stipulate that  the  minimum  number  of  tickets  to  be  sold  at  the  station  so  as  to recover the cost of stoppage (which ranges from ₹ 12,716/- to ₹ 24,506/depending upon traction, composition and other factors) should be 40 or more tickets per day per train for sleeper class for a distance of 500 kms or its equivalent in terms of cost for mixed class of passengers like AC, General and distance (multiple of 100 kms) toward/from destination/originating stations of the train. The policy also stipulates that no additional stoppage  to  be  provided  in  sections  having  capacity utilization  above  90%.  Additionally,  population  and  significance  of  the town/city and new developments, thereat, and other factors are taken into account while considering provision of new stoppages. Further, operational and strategic requirements are taken into consideration while deciding about stoppages.

(e): There  is  no  proposal,  at  present,  for  withdrawal  of  stoppages.  As such, operation of additional Mainline Electric Multiple Unit (MEMU) trains in lieu thereof does not arise.

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