opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1467 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Inconsistencies on Sets of Data Compiled
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: C.S. PUTTARAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1467

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 27 th  DECEMBER, 2017

## INCONSISTENCIES ON SETS OF DATA COMPILED

1467. SHRI C. S. PUTTA RAJU:

Will the Minister of STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether even after reworking and re-basing of many key statistical indicators  recently,  there  still  have  been  rampant  contradictions and inconsistencies on sets of economic data compiled, reflecting poorly on the credibility of methodology;
- (b) if so, whether Government has proposed to overhaul the process of economic data gathering to facilitate realistic review of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and
- (c)  whether China having faced a similar situation earlier, now relies more on data such as electricity consumption, railway freight and bank loans than GDP estimates and if so, the details thereof and whether Government proposes to follow such methods?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION AND MINISTER OF STATE  IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI VIJAY GOEL)

- (a) to  (c):  As  per  the  usual  practice,  at  the  time  of  every  base revision exercise of national accounts, for more realistic assessment of  Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by taking into account the changing structure of the economy, a comprehensive review of methodology and datasets  is  done.  In  preparation  of  national  accounts  estimates  / indicators, the Government follows latest international norms, standards and methodologies. The details of methodology followed by China for estimation of GDP is not available.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1465 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Reduction in Prices of Tickets
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HARISH CHANDRA MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1465 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## REDUCTION IN PRICES OF TICKETS

1465. SHRI HARISH MEENA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government proposes to reduce fares of premium and Rajdhani trains as these trains are running with vacant seats;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  the  fares  are likely to be reduced; and
- (c)  if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (c):  A  Committee  has  been  constituted  to  review  the  Flexi Fare system in Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains with a view to examining all other options and recommend the best option keeping in mind the interest of passengers and Railways. *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1464 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Complaints against Railway Divisions
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1464 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## COMPLAINTS AGAINST RAILWAY DIVISIONS

†1464.   SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of complaints received by the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) from the Members of Parliament (MPs) in the  year  2016  and  2017  with  regard  to  all  the  divisions  of Allahabad zone under the North Central Railway along with the details thereof; and
- (b)
- the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  &  (b)    As  per  information  obtained    from  Central  Vigilance Commission, only one complaint from Hon'ble Member of Parliament  was  received  in  Central  Vigilance  Commission  (CVC) and the same  was  disposed off with the approval of the Commission as per their complaint handling policy.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1463 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Revamping of Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMACHANDRAN MULLAPPALLY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1463 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## REVAMPING OF STATIONS

1463.  SHRI MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Railways  has  proposed  to  revamp  A1  and  A category railway stations in the country;

(b)  if so, the details thereof; and

(c)  whether any nodal agency has been appointed for this purpose and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  1463  BY  SHRI  MULLAPPALLY RAMACHANDRAN  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN LOK SABHA ON 27.12.2017 REGARDING REVAMPING OF STATIONS

(a) & (b): Indian Railways has advertised its plan to redevelop 'A1' and 'A' category stations on 'as is where is' basis, by inviting open bids from interested parties. The cost of station redevelopment is to be met by leveraging commercial development of land and air space in and around the stations.

Bids were invited by Zonal Railways for 23 stations in the first  phase  of  the  station  redevelopment programme. Bids  have been received only for Jammu Tawi and Kozhikode stations on 12.07.2017  and  24.07.2017  respectively.  These  bids  have  been taken up for evaluation.

Eight  stations  viz.  Anand  Vihar  (Delhi),  Bijwasan  (Delhi), Chandigarh, Gandhinagar, Habibganj (Bhopal), Shivajinagar (Pune),  Surat  and  Sabarmati  have  been  entrusted  to  Indian Railway Stations Development  Corporation  Ltd. (IRSDC) for redevelopment.

An  MoU  has  been  signed  by  Ministry  of  Railways  with Ministry of Urban Development for integrated planning for station redevelopment  projects  in  cities  identified  as  SMART  cities  in association with Smart City authorities. The following 10 Stations  have  been  taken  up  for  redevelopment  under  this scheme:

Tirupati,  Delhi  Sarai  Rohilla,  Nellore,  Madgaon,  Lucknow, Gomtinagar, Kota, Thane New, Ernakulam Jn. and Puducherry.

Rail Land Development Authority (RLDA) has been entrusted to redevelop Safdarjung Station in New Delhi alongwith IRCON.

Government of Odisha has taken up the work of redevelopment of Bhubaneswar railway station at its own cost.

At  present,  Ministry  of  Railways  is  formulating  revised schemes for station redevelopment on fast track.

(c):  So far, no Nodal agency has been appointed for this purpose.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1462 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Display of Suppliers Name
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1462 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## DISPLAY OF SUPPLIERS NAME

†1462. SHRI NAGAR RODMAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to ensure that the name of supplier is displayed on the packets of food items in trains;
- (b) if so, the time limit fixed to implement the said decision; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (c): Yes, Madam. Instruction has been issued on 25.09.2017 to all Zonal  Railways  and  Indian  Railway  Catering  and  Tourism  Corporation Limited (IRCTC) that each food box in which food is packed and sold on trains /station premises  must have the following information displayed in legible form with immediate effect: (i) Name of the authorized supplier/contractor (ii) weight/grams (iii) Date of packing (iv) distinction symbol of veg /non-veg food item & (v) sale price /MRP (Maximum Retail Price) of the food item.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1461 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: DEVUSINH JESINGBHAI CHAUHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1461 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation

1461.   Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government of India received a proposal from Government of Gujarat for prior approval of reservation of four lignite blocks at LakhpatPunharajpur, Damlai-Padal, Ghala, Bodhan, Pithor, Deheli etc. (EFG block) under section 17A(2) and 2A of MMDR Act in favour of Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation; and
- (b) if so, the action taken by Union Government towards approval of reservation of these four lignite blocks in favour of GMDC?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL AND RAILWAYS

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) Yes Madam, Ministry of Coal (MoC) had received proposals from the Government of Gujarat (GoG) for prior approval of reservation of four lignite blocks under section 17A (2)  of  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation)  Act,  1957  (MMDR  Act)  in favour of Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited (GMDC).
- (b) The said proposals of Government of Gujarat were examined and MoC has accorded prior approval for reserving the following lignite blocks under provisions of Section 17 (A) (2) of MMDR Act 1957 in favour of GMDC:-

|   1 | 1400 hectare area of Damlai Block                    | MOC's approval conveyed to GoG vide letter no 11033/09/2015-CA-II dated 24.06.2016   |
|-----|------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   2 | 3015 hectare area of E,F,G Block                     | MOC's approval conveyed to GoG vide letter no 11033/09/2015-CA-II dated 17.02.2016   |
|   3 | 1600 hectare area of Ghala Block                     | MOC's approval conveyed to GoG vide letter no 11033/09/2015-CA-II dated 24.06.2016   |
|   4 | 2973 hectare Area of village Lakhpat and Punharajpur | MOC's approval conveyed to GoG vide letter no 11033/09/2015-CA-II dated 07.12.2016   |
Lok Sabha Question No. 1457 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Upgradation of Rajahmundry Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: MURALI MOHAN MAGANTI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1457 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## UPGRADATION OF RAJAHMUNDRY RAILWAY STATION

## 1457. SHRI M. MURALI MOHAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Railways  is  considering  to  upgrade  Rajahmundry Railway Station to the level of  Modern Railway Station and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Railways  is  contemplating  to  construct  02  more additional platforms in view of the heavy passenger traffic; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof including funds released/to be released in this regard?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):   Upgradation of stations has been undertaken under various modernization schemes such as Model Station Scheme, Modern Station Scheme and the Adarsh Stations Scheme. Upgradation of Rajahmundry Railway Station has been done under all the above Schemes.

- (b):   Yes, Madam.
- (c):   Two additional platforms are being constructed as a part of yard remodification  work  sanctioned  in  the  year  2017-18  costing ` 27.17 Crore. ` 2 Crore has been allocated in the current financial year.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1455 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Electrification of Routes
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KIRTI (JHA) AZAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1455 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## ELECTRIFICATION OF ROUTES

- † 1455. SHRI KIRTI AZAD:
- (a) whether  the  Railway  routes  under  the  East  Central  Railway have not been electrified and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  given  assurances  on  several occasions with regard to electrification of said routes; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a):    No, Madam.  As on 1.4.2017, out of 3678 Route kilometer of Broad Gauge  (BG)  railway  routes  in  East  Central  Railway,  1948  BG  Route Kilometer has been  commissioned  on  electric  traction (electrified). Further,  216  Route  Kilometers  have  been  commissioned  on  electric traction till 30.11.2017 during the current financial year (2017-18).
- (b):   No, Madam.  No such assurance has been given in the recent past.
- (c):     Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Hearing of High Profile Cases
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: RITI PATHAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW & JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1453

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017.

## Hearing of High Profile Cases

## †1453. SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

## Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any proposal regarding mandatory hearing of high profile cases through video conferencing in various prisons of the country is under consideration of the Government;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the manner in which the above said initiative is likely to prove helpful in early hearing of the  under  trials  and  in  providing  time  bound  and  fair  justice  to  the  victims  and  their families?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b): The step taken to dispose of cases of any kind is part of the larger plan to check delays and deficiencies in investigation into serious crimes and by ensuring progress of trials  without  hindrances  and  hurdles.    There  is,  therefore,  an  emphasis  on  holistic approach.

As  per  information  made  available  by  the  Supreme  Court,  Video  Conferencing equipments  have  been  provided  to  493  Court  Complexes  and  347  Central  and  District Jails.  In Phase II of the eCourts Project, funds to the tune of  Rs.64.33 crore have been released to High Courts for procurement of video conference equipments at the remaining Court Complexes and Jails (2,747 Court Complexes and 928 Jails).

(c) : Supreme Court of India has recently directed that in matrimonial or custody matters or in proceedings between parties to a marriage or arising out of disputes between parties to a marriage, wherever the defendants / respondents are located outside the jurisdiction of the  court,  the  court  where  proceedings  are  instituted,  may  examine  whether  it  is  in  the interest of justice to incorporate any  safeguards  for  ensuring  that  summoning  of defendants/  respondent  does  not  result  in  denial  of  justice.    Order  incorporating  such safeguards  may  be  sent  along  with  the  summons.    The  safeguards, inter-alia ,  include availability of video conferencing facility.

**************
Lok Sabha Question No. 1452 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Allocation for Air Force
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: ANURAG SINGH THAKUR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1452

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## ALLOCATION  FOR  AIR FORCE

## 1452.  SHRI  ANURAG  SINGH  THAKUR:

j{kk ea=h

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  revised  estimates  of  budget  of  2017-18  for  the  Ministry  and allocation for the Air Force  therefrom;
- (b) whether a number of MIG-21 is likely to get obsolete by 2020; and
- (c) if  so,  the  number  of  squadrons  and  squadrons  of  helicopters  likely  to  be  with Indian Air Force (IAF) by 2020?
- (a) The Revised Estimate of budget of 2017-18 for the Ministry is yet to be intimated by Ministry of Finance.
- (b) Three squadrons of MiG-21 aircraft will be phased out by 2020.
- (c) IAF will have 32 Fighter Squadrons and 39 Helicopter Units by 2020.

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1451 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Expenses of Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1451 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## EXPENSES OF RAILWAYS

## 1451.   SHRI KONDA VISHWESHWAR REDDY:

Will  the  Minister  of  RAILWAYS  be  pleased  to  state  the  manner  in which the Railways proposes to manage its expenses if no demands are to be made in the upcoming budget?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

The Railways Demand for Grants comprises proposals for expenditure  under  Revenue  and  Capital  sections.  While  Revenue expenditure involving working  expenses  is met  out of traffic earnings, the Capital section is financed from various sources like Gross Budgetary Support, Internal Generation  and Extra Budgetary Resources. The same is continued in the Budget 2018-19.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1449 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Procurement of Akash Missile
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: KINJARAPU RAM MOHAN NAIDU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1449

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 27 TH  DECEMBER, 2017

## PROCUREMENT  OF  AKASH  MISSILE

## 1449.  SHRI  RAM  MOHAN  NAIDU  KINJARAPU:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to procure Akash Missile System;
- (b) if so, the details of quantity of such procurement; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

र  ा रा य मं ी

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

- (a) to (c):  (i)  Contract for two Regiments for Indian Army was concluded in March 2011.  Of these, one regiment is already in Service.
- (ii) Acceptance  of  Necessity  (AoN)  for  procurement  of  02  more Regiments  of  Akash  Missile  System  has  been  accorded  by Defence Acquisition Council (DAC).

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1448 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Installation of Flue Gas De-Sulphurizers
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: MAHEISH GIRRI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1448 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## Installation of Flue Gas De-Sulphurizers

## 1448. SHRI MAHEISH GIRRI:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a) whether NITI Aayog's three year action agenda recommends for installation of flue gas desulphurizers on all coal power plants in or close to densely populated areas except those less than 5 MW capacity  and those older than 25 years by 2020 and if so, whether the ministry has taken any steps regarding the same;

(b) if so, the details of the same;

(c) if not, the reasons therefor;

(d) the number of old power plants that have been shut down in the past three years or are in the process of phasing out to reduce emissions of toxic gases polluting environment; and

(e) the details of number of coal power plants operating in Delhi-NCR and steps taken by the pollution  control  boards  both  central  and  state  to  keep  a  check  on  emission  level  from  these power plants?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL AND RAILWAYS ( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )

(a)  to  (d): As  informed  by  NITI  Aayog,  NITI  Aayog  in  its  three  year  action  agenda  has recommended for

(i)  installation  of  flue  gas  de-sulphurizers  on  all  coal  power  plants  in  or  close  to  densely populated areas by 2020 except those less than 5 MW capacity and those older than 25 years.

(ii)  Shutting  down  of  the  older  power  plants  in  a  phased  manner  to  cut  emissions  of  Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) gas that becomes sulphate particles in the atmosphere.

A  capacity  of  6768.38  MW  (89  units)  old  thermal  power  plants  which  were  inefficient  and having higher emissions has been retired from April 2014 up to 30th Nov. 2017. A capacity of 4326.5 MW (43 units) is proposed for retirement in future on similar grounds.

(e): As  informed  by  Ministry  of  Power,  Coal  Power  Plants  operating  in  Delhi-NCR  are  as under:-

|   S.No. | Name of Power plant                | Capacity(MW)     |
|---------|------------------------------------|------------------|
|       1 | Rajghat Thermal Power Plant        | 2x67.5=135MW     |
|       2 | Badarpur Thermal Power Plant       | 3x95+2x210=705   |
|       3 | Dadri Thermal Power Plant          | 4x210+2x490=1820 |
|       4 | Mahatma Gandhi Thermal Power Plant | 2x660=1320       |
|       5 | Panipat Thermal Power Plant        | 2x210+2x250=920  |
|       6 | Indira Gandhi Thermal Power Plant  | 3x500=1500       |

Steps  taken  by  the  pollution  control  boards  both  central  and  state  to  keep  a  check  on emission level from these power plants are being collected.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 1447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-12-27
Subject: Festival Special Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1447 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.12.2017

## FESTIVAL SPECIAL TRAINS

†1447. SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways operates one way special passenger trains keeping in view the extra festive rush of passengers in various parts of the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  Railways  has  to  bear  the  loss  on  account  of  return operation of such trains due to one way movement of the crowd and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  in  the  absence  of  proper  assessment  of  crowd  the passengers  have  to  face  lot  of  problems  every  year  due  to  heavy rush and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to constitute a special cell to solve  the  problems  arising  every  year  in  order  to  take  proper decision and ensure the responsibility; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)    Special trains are, normally, operated on a to and fro basis to clear extra rush of passengers traffic keeping in view the pattern of traffic, commercial justification, operational feasibility and availability  of  resources.  However,    Indian  Railways  operates  one way special trains only in emergent situation like for clearance of unexpected  extra  rush  to  avoid  any  untoward  incidents,  to  clear passenger  affected  due  to  derailment  of  trains,  for  the  rescue  of accident  affected  train  passengers    etc.  Moreover,  all  sincere efforts  are  made  to    achieve  optimum  revenue  from  every  special train service. Cont……

(b)  Train-wise  figures  of  profitability,  earning  and  expenditure  are not  separately  maintained.  Therefore,  the  details  of  loss/profit  on account of return operation of such trains are not available.

(c) to (e) Analysis of occupancy pattern of trains is done on regular basis.  On those sectors, where there is heavy unsatisfied demand, subject to operational feasibility, efforts are made to augment the load of existing trains or to run special trains to meet the seasonal rush.   Fully unreserved trains are also run to cater to unreserved traffic during the rush period.

During festivals like Chhath etc. holding areas for passengers are created within station premises outside the ticketing  area  to  ease  the  rush  at  the  ticketing  counters  and platforms  and  facilitate  easy  procurement  of  tickets  by  sale  of tickets in such areas.  Further, Zonal Railways have been authorized to  increase  the  charge  of  platform  tickets  or  to  stop  the  sale  of platform tickets during the festivals in order to reduce the crowd at the  platforms.    Railway  Protection  Force  (RPF)  personnel  are  also deployed  to  regulate  entry  of  passengers  in  unreserved  coaches during the rush period.

*****