Lok Sabha Question No. 2895 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Laying New Lines in Bihar
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMA DEVI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2895 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## LAYING NEW LINES IN BIHAR

†2895.  SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

(a)  the details of the work done in Bihar regarding laying of new rail lines, gauge conversion and electrification of Railways during the last three years;

(b) the details of the sanctioned works for Bihar which have not been started till date;

(c)  the  details  of  the  work  in  Bihar  running  as  on  date  but  not completed yet; and

(d) whether the Government has taken any special steps to complete the said works on time and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  2895  BY  SHRIMATI  RAMA  DEVI  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.08.2017 REGARDING LAYING NEW LINES IN BIHAR.

(a):  During  the  last  three  years,  122  Km  New  Lines,  163  Km  Gauge Conversions and 454 Km Electrification projects falling fully/partly in Bihar have been commissioned. The details of these New Lines, Gauge Conversion and Electrification sections are as under:New Lines

1. Patna  Rail-Cum-Road  Bridge  (19  km)  over  Ganga  River  (Entire project Commissioned)
2. Munger Rail-Cum-Road Bridge over river Ganga (19.80 km) (Rail portion commissioned)
3. Sonepur-Hajipur (5.5 km) with Gandak Br (Entire project commissioned)
4. Banka-Chandan (40 km) section of  Deogarh-Sultanganj (116 Km) New line Project
5. Daniyawan-Biharsharif  (38  Km)  section  of  Fatuha-Islampur(43 Km) incl.  material modification for extension of  New Line from Neora-Sheikhpura (123 Km).

## Gauge Conversions

1. Murliganj-Banmankhi  (20  km)  &  Banmankhi-Purnia  (37  km)  of Mansi-Saharsa-Dauram Madhepura-Purnia Gauge Conversion Project.
2. Chhapra-Mashrak (40 km) &  Thawe-Mashrak (66 km) sections of Kaptanganj-Thawe-Chhapra  Gauge  Conversion  Project  (Entire project commissioned).

## Electrification Projects

1. Barauni-Mansi-Katihar (180 Km)
2. Chhapra-Siwan-Thawe and Siwan-Bankata (116 Km)
3. Hajipur-Muzaffarpur-Bachhwara (140 Km)
4. Patliputra-Sonepur (18 Km)
5. (b)  &  (c):    At  present,  Railways  have  taken  up  66  major  projects comprising 34 New Lines, 13 Doublings, 5 Gauge Conversions and 14 Electrification projects falling fully/partly in the State of Bihar. These projects are progressing as per availability of funds and land.

Completion of project depends upon several factors including availability of funds, complete handing over of encumbrance-free land by  the  State  Government,  forestry  clearances,  shifting  of  utilities, Road over/under bridges, canal & electrical crossings, etc. Since most of  these  factors  are  beyond  the  control  of  Ministry  of  Railways,  no time-frame has been fixed for completion of the projects.

- (d):    Indian  Railways  have  taken  various  initiatives  to  increase  the pace of execution of projects. These include:-
-  Indian Railways has sanctioned about 12,600 Km of Doubling/3 rd & 4 th  line to  overcome  the  problem  of  congestion  over  high  density network in the last three years i.e. 2015-16, 2016-17 & 2017-18.
-  Making higher fund allotment for projects. The capital expenditure for  Railways  has  been  increased  from ` 58,718  Cr  in  2014-15  to around ` 93,795 Cr in 2015-16 to ` 1,11,661 crore in 2016-17 and a plan size of ` 1,31,000 crore has been kept for 2017-18.
-  Delegation of Powers to the field officers for tenders and estimates: The Zonal Railways have been delegated full powers with respect  to  works  contracts.  Full  powers  have  been  given  to  General Managers of Zonal Railways with respect to sanctioning of estimates.

This has also resulted in cutting down time for sanction of estimate and tenders.  Institutional  financing by  tying  up  loan  with  M/s  Life  Insurance Corporation  of  India  Limited  for 1.5  lac  crore  for  assured  funding  of viable  projects  has  increased  Railways'  capacity  for  committed  fund provision for essential projects.  Coordination with State/Central Ministries: To expedite the project execution and better coordination with State/Central Ministries, regular coordination meetings are being held with Ministries/ Departments / State Government Authorities. A senior Railway officer has  been  nominated  as  a  Nodal  officer  to  deal  with  each  State Government.

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