Lok Sabha Question No. 2688 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-03
Subject: New Rail Lines in Karnataka
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: B. S. YEDDYURAPPA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2688 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

## NEW RAIL LINES IN KARNATAKA

## 2688.   SHRI B.S.YEDIYURAPPA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  surveys  undertaken  for  new  railway  lines  in  the country,  zone-wise  including  Karnataka  during  the  last  three  years along with the present status thereof; and
- (b) the steps taken/being taken by the Railways to complete the ongoing surveys and remaining gauge conversion works?

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

- (a) & (b):   A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  2688  BY  SHRI  B.S.YEDIYURAPPA  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 03.01.2018 REGARDING NEW RAIL LINES IN KARNATAKA

- (a):      Zone-wise details of surveys conducted for new lines during the last  three  years  i.e.  2014-15,  2015-16  & 2016-17  for new line projects that includes State of Karnataka are as tabulated below:-
- 12  new  line  works  have  been  included  in  Pink  Book  subject  to requisite approvals.
- (b):   Surveys require investigation of various alternatives in consultation with  State  Governments  and  forest  department,  to  decide  the  most technically feasible alignment, interaction with State Government, trade

| Zonal Railway      |   No. of new line surveys conducted during 2014-15, 2015-16 & 2016-17 |   No. of new line surveys conducted during 2017-18 |
|--------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| Central            |                                                                     9 |                                                  4 |
| East Coast         |                                                                    11 |                                                  4 |
| East Central       |                                                                     4 |                                                  0 |
| Eastern            |                                                                     0 |                                                  0 |
| North Central      |                                                                     7 |                                                  5 |
| North Eastern      |                                                                     4 |                                                  2 |
| Northeast Frontier |                                                                     7 |                                                  0 |
| Northern           |                                                                    27 |                                                 15 |
| North Western      |                                                                    16 |                                                  5 |
| South Central      |                                                                    10 |                                                  6 |
| South East Central |                                                                    22 |                                                  6 |
| South Eastern      |                                                                     2 |                                                  0 |
| Southern           |                                                                    16 |                                                  0 |
| South Western      |                                                                     7 |                                                  1 |
| West Central       |                                                                     1 |                                                  4 |
| Western            |                                                                    10 |                                                  0 |

and industries for assessment of traffic projections, preparation of plans and  drawings  for  calculation  of  costs  etc.  Since  this  is  an  extensive exercise,  it  is  not  possible  to  fix  time  lines  for  both  completion  of  all these surveys and the lines being made functional.

Conversion  of  Narrow  Gauge  (NG)  lines,  wherever  feasible,  and  of Meter Gauge (MG) lines into Broad Gauge (BG) have been taken up by Indian Railways, as a part of Uni-gauge policy in phases. Completion of projects depends on many factors such as land acquisition, forestry & wild life clearances, shifting of services, construction of road over and road  under  bridges  by  road  maintaining  agencies  etc.  apart  from availability  of  funds  depending  on  overall  availability  of  funds  and relative priority of the route.  As many of these factors are not within the control of Railways, no time limit has been fixed for conversion of all NG and MG lines into BG.  Moreover, Gauge Conversion works are not taken up  on  the  routes  having  dead  ends  and  routes  having  heritage  status. However, it is always endeavour of Ministry of Railways to  hasten the Gauge  Conversion  works.    For  early  completion  of  surveys,  further delegation of powers to Zonal Railways for finalizing tenders to survey alongwith decision to go for outsourcing for all surveys have also been done.

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