opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2972 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: High Speed Rail Lines
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NARAMALLI SIVAPRASAD

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2972 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## HIGH SPEED RAIL LINES

2972.   DR. NARAMALLI SIVA PRASAD :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether the Government is planning to construct high speed railway lines;
- (b) if so, the details thereof including the proposals for setting up new lines between Bengaluru and Amravati; and
- (c)   the details of the progress of the project and the proposed timeline in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  to  (c)  :    Mumbai-Ahmedabad  High  Speed Rail  (MAHSR)  project  has been sanctioned for implementation with technical and financial assistance   of   Government   of   Japan.   National   High   Speed    Rail …2/…

Corporation  Limited  (NHSRCL)  has  been  incorporated  as  a  Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to undertake the implementation of this project. As per joint feasibility report, this project is targeted for commissioning in 2022-2023.

Rail connectivity already exists between Bengaluru and Vijayawada via Dharmavaram and Gooty as well as via Katpadi-Pakala-Tenali.

A new line project from Vijayawada to Guntur via Amravati (106 km) has been included in the Budget 2017-18 subject to requisite approvals.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2970 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: New Train from Udaipur to Kanya Kumari
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ARJUNLAL MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2970 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## NEW TRAIN FROM UDAIPUR TO KANYA KUMARI

† 2970.  SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  introduce  a  new  train  from Udaipur City Railway Station to Kanyakumari via Bengaluru and Kota;
- (b) if so, the time by which it is likely to be started; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  to  (c)  No,  Madam.  Introduction  of  a  new  train  service  between Udaipur  City  and  Kanniyakumari  is  not  feasible  at  present,  due  to operational and resource constraints including line capacity constraints on several sections enroute and terminal constraints at Kanniyakumari.

However, introduction of new trains is an ongoing process in Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, commercial validity, availability of resources, etc.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2968 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Market Share of BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: UDAY PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2968 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND   AUGUST, 2017

## MARKET SHARE OF BSNL

†2968. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  market  share  of  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  has declined during the last two years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether a Memorandum of Undertaking has been signed between BSNL and Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF); and
- (d) if so, the details and the main objectives thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)&(b) Market  share  of  Bharat  Sanchar  Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  has  been declining  in  Wireline  sector  over  the  last  two  years.    However,  market  share  in wireless  and  total  subscriber  base  of  BSNL  has  been  increasing  over  the  last  two years.  Market share of BSNL in last two years is as under:

|   As on 31 st March | Wireline   | Wireless   | Market Share (Wireline +Wireless)   |
|---------------------|------------|------------|-------------------------------------|
|                2015 | 61.71%     | 7.96%      | 9.36%                               |
|                2016 | 58.52%     | 8.54%      | 9.59%                               |
|                2017 | 56.1%      | 8.63%      | 9.63%                               |

(c) & (d) The details of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)/Agreement signed between BSNL and Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) since 01.01.2015 are as follows:

- (i) MoU  dated 29.12.2015 regarding providing financial support for enhancement of Satellite Bandwidth in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- (ii) Agreement dated 28.03.2017 regarding compensation for deficit incurred  in  operating  the  Rural  Wireline  Connections  installed  prior  to 01.04.2002.
- (iii) MoU dated 29.3.2017 regarding providing financial support for enhancement of Satellite Bandwidth in Lakshadweep.
- (iv) MoU dated 15.05.2017 regarding creation of infrastructure for providing Mobile Services on the route of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra.
- (v) Agreement dated 09.06.2017 regarding setting up of WiFi Hotspot at 25,000 Rural Telephone Exchanges.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2964 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Construction of New Line from Nasik to Pune
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HARISHCHANDRA DEORAM CHAVAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2964 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## CONSTRUCTION OF NEW LINE FROM NASIK TO PUNE

†2964. SHRI HARISHCHANDRA CHAVAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether clearance has been accorded for construction of new rail line from Nasik to Pune;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the  details  of  works  done  so  far  in  this  regard  and  the  total amount allocated for the purpose?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to (c):   Pune-Nasik (265 km) new line work  has been included in Budget  2016-17 at a cost of ` 2425 crore subject to requisite approvals. Preparation of Detailed Project Report has been taken up.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2963 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Laying of Optical Fibre Cable under Bharat Net Project
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: RAJESH RANJAN  (PAPPU  YADAV)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2963 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND   AUGUST, 2017

## Laying of Optical Fibre Cable under Bharat Net Project

## 2963. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has directed the States to lay optical fibre cable lines over  electric  poles  instead  of  laying  them  underground  as  initially  envisaged  under Bharat Net Project; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) & (b) On  19.07.2017,  the  Government  approved  a  modified  implementation strategy  for  BharatNet.  The  remaining  1,50,000  Gram  Panchayats  (approx.)  under Phase-II  are to be connected by using an optimal mix of media, i.e., aerial  Optical Fibre  Cable  (OFC)  on  existing  electricity  poles,    radio  and    satellite  for  speedier deployment; and underground OFC (as being done for Phase-I). The implementation of the project is proposed through States and States' agencies, Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs), and Private Sector agencies.

Under the State model, the States, with the capacity to design and implement BharatNet Phase II, are envisioned to be the implementing agency, and will undertake the responsibility of execution of underground, overhead laying of OFC and radio.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2960 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Electricity Generated from Nuclear Power Plants
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2960

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## ELECTRICITY GENERATED FROM NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

2960.   SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  laid  down  any  policy/guidelines  pertaining  to  the allotment of electricity  generated  from  a  nuclear  power  plant  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) the unit cost of electricity generated from these power plants as compared to the unit cost of electricity produced from other sources; and
- (c) the steps taken by the Government to decrease the unit cost of electricity  generated from nuclear power plants?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH):

- (a) Electricity generated  by  central  sector  generating  stations  is  allocated  to  the beneficiary  states  and  union  territories  in  the  electricity  region  by  the  Ministry  of Power (MoP).  As per the extant guidelines  of MoP,  50%  of power  is allocated  to 'Home' State, 15% unallocated power kept at the disposal of Government of India and 35% is allocated to other constituents (except 'Home' State) of that region.
- (b) The present tariffs of nuclear power range from 1.07 per unit in case of the oldest nuclear  power  station,  Tarapur  Atomic  Power  Station  (TAPS)  -  1&2  at  Tarapur, Maharashtra to 4.10 in case of the latest station, Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) -1&2 at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu. Nuclear power tariffs are comparable to those from contemporary units of other electricity generating technologies located in the area.
- (c) Reducing  costs  of  nuclear  power  is  an  ongoing  effort.  In  respect  of  indigenously designed Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), efforts in this regard have included increasing unit size from 220 MW to 540 MW  and further to 700 MW  to gain from economies of scale,  standardisation, improvement in design and efficiency and optimisation of gestation period. In respect of projects to be set up with foreign cooperation, the measures include adopting appropriate business models to arrive at competitive unit cost.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2959 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: High Capacity Parcel Vans
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: DODDAALAHALLI KEMPEGOWDA SURESH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2959 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## HIGH CAPACITY PARCEL VANS

## 2959. SHRI D.K.SURESH :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  introduced  high-capacity  parcel  vans (Green  Parcel  Vans)  for  carrying  vegetables,  fruits,  milk  products, fish, egg, meat and processed food products;  and
- (b)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (c)  the steps  taken by the Government to ensure that sufficient number of high capacity parcel vans are available for the above purpose?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a)  to  (c):    To  meet  the  demand  of  full  vehicle  load  perishable  traffic, Indian  Railways  has  developed  High  Capacity  Parcel  Vans  (VPs) with  a  capacity  of  23  Tonnes  which  are  attached  to  passenger carrying trains subject to availability of room in train and operational  feasibility.  To  facilitate  transportation  of  milk  through Rail, specially designed High Capacity Milk Tankers having capacity of 44.66 KL are run as Special trains. At present 3 Milk tanker trains are being run of which 2 trains are run by Gujarat Corporative Milk Marketing  Federation  Ltd.  (GCMMFL)    from  Palanpur  to  Bhim  Sen and other  by Mother Dairy from Daund to Baraut.

In  addition  to  this,  Indian  Railways  also  run  special  parcel train consisting of High Capacity Parcel Vans for transportation of fruits in  bulk  like  Mango,  Banana,  Orange  etc.  on  demand,  on  a  fixed  path between specific  origin-destination  stations.  Railways  supply  rakes  for transportation of fruits on indent basis.

For  transportation  of  horticulture  produce  in  container,  Container Corporation  of  India  (CONCOR)  has  procured  98  Ventilated  Isolated Containers specially designed for movement of fruits and vegetables.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2958 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Irregularities in Development of Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: NIHAL CHAND CHAUHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2958 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## IRREGULARITIES IN DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAY STATIONS

†2958. SHRI NIHAL CHAND:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  cases  of  irregularities  in  development  works  of railway  stations  across  the  country  which  came  into  cognizance  of the Government during the last two years;
- (b)  the  amount  of  the  fund  allocated  by  the  Government  for  the development of the railway stations during the said period; and
- (c) the policies/rules prepared by the Government regarding any type of irregularities in development works?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a): Seven cases of irregularities having vigilance angle regarding poor quality material,  poor  workmanship  and  irregular  payment  in  Station  Development works have been noticed during the last two years over Indian Railways.

(b):  The  expenditure  on  development  of  Passenger  Amenities  works  at Railway  Stations  is  generally  funded  under  Plan  Head  -  'Passenger Amenities'.  Outlays  of ` 1200.11  crores  and ` 917.91  crores  have  been allotted  to  this  Plan  Head  'Passenger  Amenities'  in  Revised  Estimates 2015-16 and 2016-17 respectively, under Budgetary Sources.

(c): Railways have well established systems, rules and procedures which guide its various functions. The Railways also have a vigilance organization,  spread  over  the  entire  railway  system  which  conducts preventive, decoy and surprise checks. It also investigates complaints of corruption received. If  any  irregularity  is  detected,  suitable  disciplinary action is taken, depending upon the gravity of the charges.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2957 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Consultation on IT and ITES Sector
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2957

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 02.08.2017

## CONSULTATION ON IT AND ITES  SECTOR

## 2957. DR. GOKARAJU GANGA RAJU:

Will the Minister of Electronics & Information Technology be pleased to state: -

- (a) whether the Government has organised a high-level consultation with leaders from IT & ITES sector with a focus on digital financial services and e-commerce and also  for  developing  the  roadmap  for  one  trillion  dollar  digital  economy  in  India; and
- (b) if so, the salient features of the consultation and the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P. P. CHAUDHARY)

(a):  Yes, Madam. Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) organized a high-level consultation with the industry leaders from IT and ITES sector with focus on digital financial services and e-commerce on 16 th June 2017.

(b):  The consultation was conducted for developing the roadmap for One Trillion Dollar Digital  Economy  in  India.    The  meeting  was  chaired  by  Shri  Ravi  Shankar  Prasad, Hon'ble Union Minister for Electronics & Information Technology and Law & Justice and the industry was represented by leaders of IT-ITES sector and industry associations like Infosys, IBM,  Wipro,  Google,  Microsoft,  Mahindra  Tech,  Intel  Corporation, Panasonic India, Indian Private Equity and Venture Capital Association (IVCA), National Payment  Corporation  of  India  (NPCI),  National  Association  of  Software  and  Services Companies (NASSCOM),  Internet  and  Mobile  Association  of  India  (IAMAI)  etc.  The key discussion areas of the consultation included:

-  Enhancing  use  of  ICT  in    various  sectors  such  as  health,  education  and financial inclusion.
-  Accelerating employment opportunities
-  Need for innovation to fast track digitization
-  Developing  solutions  for  India  and  emerging  markets  by  exploring  public private partnerships.

The emerging technology areas such as Data Centre/Cloud, Space technologies, Robotics, Augmented Reality, IoT (Internet of Things), Big Data/Business Analytics/data Mining, Cyber  Security  etc  have  been  identified  to  drive  the  growth.  For  details,  please  refer release of Press Information Bureau (PIB) available at http://pib.nic.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2953 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: BSNL Network in Uttar Pradesh
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2953 TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 ND   AUGUST, 2017

## BSNL NETWORK IN UTTAR PRADESH

†2953. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  non-optional  network  facility  of  BSNL  has  reportedly  become  a serious problem in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise and the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  problem  of  unavailability  of BSNL network in the district of Siddharth Nagar, Balrampur and Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to provide 3G and 4G internet facilities in the said districts of Uttar Pradesh particularly in Siddharth Nagar?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (IC) OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS & MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

(a)&(b) There  is  no  non-optional  network  facility  in  BSNL.    However,  GSM (Global System for Mobile communications) based mobile network  of Bharat Sanchar Nigam  Limited  (BSNL)  is      meeting  the  Quality  of  Service  (QoS)  parameters prescribed  by  Telecom  Regulatory  Authority  of  India  (TRAI)  in  all  of  its  Licensed Service  Areas  (LSAs).    Monitoring  of  network  has      been  strengthened  further  by BSNL to ensure performance as per the QoS parameters prescribed by TRAI.

- (c) In Sidharthnagar district, BSNL network is   working satisfactory.  In Balrampur and Maharajganj districts, the mobile services were affected due to road widening and thereby frequent damages of Optical Fiber Cable (OFC) on main and other alternate routes
- (d) All OFC damages are repaired promptly and the network in Balrampur district is  stable since last few days.  In Maharajganj district, alternate OFC path has been provided and the OFC faults are    being attended promptly to immediately restore the services.
- (e) At  present,  in  Sidharthnagar,  Balrampur  and  Maharajganj  districts,  the  total number of   3G Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) working are seven, ten and fifteen respectively.      Addition  of  new  BTSs,  based  on  technical  feasibility  and  economic viability is a continuous process.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2951 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Construction of Station at Jharkhand Dham
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2951 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## CONSTRUCTION OF STATION AT JHARKHAND DHAM

†2951.  DR. RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether no railway station has been constructed at the famous religious place Jharkhand Dham while constructing new railway line from  Giridih  to  Koderma  in  Dhanbad  division  and  if  so,  the  details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to construct a railway station at the said site; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a): Yes, Madam. The alignment of ongoing Giridih (Maheshmunda)Koderma  (110  Km)  New  Line  project  does not pass through Jharkhand  Dham.  The  nearest  station  falling  on  this  line  is  Rema which is 16 Km from Jharkhand Dham.
- (b): No, Madam.
- (c): Koderma-Kawar (88 Km) section of  Giridih-Koderma New Line project  passing  through  Rema  has  already  been  completed  and commissioned.  It  is,  therefore,  not  feasible  to  now  change  the alignment of this line.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2950 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Simultaneous Elections
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY, SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2950

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 02 ND AUGUST, 2017

## SIMULTANEOUS ELECTIONS

†2950. SHRI GOPAL SHETTY: SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of LAW AND JUSTICE be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government is planning to hold simultaneous elections to Panchayats, urban local bodies, States and Parliament; (b) if so, the details thereof and the status thereof; (c)  whether  the  Government has held discussions at various levels and took the opinion of the

- States and Union Territories in this regard; and
- (d) if so, the outcome thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LAW AND JUSTICE AND ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI P.P.CHAUDHARY)

(a) to  (d):  The  matter  regarding  conduct  of  simultaneous  election  for  Lok  Sabha  and  State Assemblies  was  examined  by  the  Parliamentary  Standing  Committee  on  Personnel,  Public Grievances, Law and Justice. The Committee in its 79 th Report has given certain recommendations which are under examination of the Government.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2949 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-02
Subject: Talgo Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RITI PATHAK, RAVNEET SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2949 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2017

## TALGO TRAINS

†2949.  SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK: SHRI RAVNEET SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a plan to run Talgo trains manufactured in Spain on the main routes of Railways;
- (b) if  so, the details of the routes identified and preparations made by the Railways for this purpose;
- (c) the likely speed and proposed fare structure of the said trains;
- (d) whether any time limit has been prescribed to run these trains and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether  the  Railways  has  taken  prior  permission  of  Railway Security Commission for trial run of Talgo trains and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a): No decision has been taken by the Indian Railways (IR) to run Talgo trains manufactured in Spain.

(b) to (d): Do not arise.

(e):  The  prior  approval  for  trial  runs  of  Talgo  trains  on  existing network of IR was taken by this Ministry as the trials were meant for limited purpose of assessing the transit time savings and not for certifying the maximum permissible speed of Talgo coaches. As per the extant provisions prior approval is obtained from Commissioner of Railway Safety for introduction of new stock in service on IR.

*****