opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5363 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Subsidiaries of Public Sector Coal Companies
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: RAMSINH PATALYABHAI RATHWA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5363

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## Subsidiaries of Public Sector Coal Companies

## 5363. SHRI RAMSINH RATHWA:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state :

- (a) the names of subsidiaries of public sector coal companies along with their present status;
- (b) whether these companies are required to be revived; and
- (c) if so, the scheme prepared by the Government for their revival?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL,

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): Coal  India  is  a  holding  company,  in  which  the  shareholding  of  the  Government  of India  (GoI)  is  78.546%. It  has  seven  wholly  owned  coal  producing  Indian  subsidiary companies  and  one  Mine  Planning &  Consultancy  Company.  The  names  of   these subsidiaries alongwith their status are as under:

|   Sl no. | Name of Subsidiary                                | Present Status              |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------|
|        1 | Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL)                  | Applied for Miniratna Cat I |
|        2 | Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL)                 | Miniratna Cat I             |
|        3 | Central Coalfields Limited (CCL)                  | Miniratna Cat I             |
|        4 | South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL)           | Miniratna Cat I             |
|        5 | Western Coalfields Limited (WCL)                  | Miniratna Cat I             |
|        6 | Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL)                 | Miniratna Cat I             |
|        7 | Mahanadi Coalfields Limtied (MCL)                 | Miniratna Cat I             |
|        8 | Central Mine Planning& Design Institute ( CMPDIL) | Applied for Miniratna Cat I |

In  addition,  CIL  has  a  foreign  subsidiary  in  Mozambique  namely  Coal  India  Africana Limitada (CIAL)

Further,  NLC  India  Limited  has  GoI  shareholding  of  84.04%  and  it  has  the  following  two subsidiaries:-

1. NLC Tamilnadu  Power  Limited  (NTPL)  at  Tuticorin,  Tamilnadu  -  NTPL  is  a  JV project  with  TANGEDCO    (89:11).  Its  power  generation  capacity  is  1000  MW  (2 units of 500 MW each)  using coal as fuel and is operational since 2016.
2. Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL) at Ghathampur, UP State - NUPPL is a JV project with UPRVNL (51 : 49). It has been sanctioned with 1980 MW (3 units of 660 MW each) of generation capacity and is under construction stage.

(b)  &  (c)  :-  No  subsidiary  of  Coal  India  Limited  and  NLC  India  Limited  falls  under  the classification of sick company and the question of revival of these subsidiaries does not arise.

* * * *
Lok Sabha Question No. 5362 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Multi-Functional Complex
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: P.K.SREEMATHI TEACHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5362 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## MULTI-FUNCTIONAL COMPLEX

5362.   SHRIMATI P.K. SREEMATHI TEACHER:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  information  about  working  of Multi-Functional Complex in the railway land violating municipal rules and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  amend  the  provisions  of Railway Act to regularise such buildings; and
- (c)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a):  Multi  Functional  Complex  (MFC)  buildings  are  covered  under provisions  of  Section  11  of  the  Railways  Act,  1989  and  paragraph No.201 of Indian Railways Works Manual, 2000 and are considered 'Operational Building' of Railways. Local Municipal rules and building  bye  laws  are  followed  in  construction  of  MFC  buildings. However,  Ministry  of  Railways  is  not  in  receipt  of  any  information about working of MFC in the railway land violating Municipal Rules.

- (b):  No, Madam.
- (c):  Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5359 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Repatriation of Indian Workers
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: GOWDAR MALLIKARJUNAPPA SIDDESHWARA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5359 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## REPATRIATION OF INDIAN WORKERS

5359. SHRI G.M. SIDDESHWARA:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether   the   Government   has   facilitated   repatriation   of   nearly 90,000 Indians working in 54 countries and assisted 80,000 Indians who were caught in dangerous situations during the last three years and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the ecosystem of administrative organization  has been strengthened to address issues such as loss of passport and need for legal advice, medical emergency, shelter and transportation and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether Indian Embassies have been directed to be proactive to address such problems quickly; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) to (d) The Government has accorded the highest priority to the safety and well-being of Indian nationals abroad. T oday, all Indians residing in any corner of the world are confident that in case of a crisis, their Government will provide them with a safe passage to the country. More than 90,000 Indians stranded abroad have been safely brought back since 2014. Around 22,000 of them have been extended air passages through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).

The   institutional   framework   for   support   and   welfare   of   Indian nationals abroad stands considerably strengthened. The MADAD portal, eMigrate,   ICWF   and   Indian   Worker   Resource   Centres   are   among   the important mechanisms to assist Indian nationals. All Indian Missions/ Posts also   actively   engage   through   social   media   platforms.   External   Affairs Minister herself receives large number of requests on her Twitter handle which are sent immediately to the concerned Indian Missions and Posts for necessary   action.   The   Government   has   also   launched   an   awareness campaign 'Surakshit Jaaye, Prasikshit Jaaye' towards ensuring that Indian workers should migrate safely with an enhanced skill set.

Indian Missions and Posts abroad are readily accessible to all Indian citizens within their jurisdiction and maintain close contact with the Indian community. There is a designated nodal officer in each Mission and Post to deal with emergency situations. In key Missions and Posts, a 24x7 Helpline has been established. A dedicated Community Welfare Wing has also been established   in   Missions   and   Posts   where   there   is   sizeable   Indian

Indian nationals residing abroad are advised to register with the nearest Indian Mission or Post. In addition, Ministry issues instructions from   time   to   time   to   its   Missions   and   Posts   abroad   to   address   the challenges   faced   by   the   resident   Indian   community   with   a   proactive

*****

community. approach.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5357 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Re-Engagement of Retired Rail Employees
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAM CHARITRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5357 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## RE-ENGAGEMENT OF RETIRED RAIL EMPLOYEES

5357.   SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  it  is  true  that  faced  with  the  shortage  of  staff  on  safety related positions, the Railways has empowered  divisional railway managers to re-engage retired rail personnel for appropriate posts;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Railways  has  laid down  some  conditions  for  reengagement;
- (d)   if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)    the  other  steps  taken  by  the  Railways  to  recruit  employees  for railway safety purposes?

## ANSWER

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

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5357 BY SHRI RAM CHARITRA NISHAD TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 28.03.2018 REGARDING RE-ENGAGEMENT OF RETIRED RAIL EMPLOYEES.

(a) to (d):  Yes, Madam. Keeping in view the shortage of staff in various categories of  posts, Divisional Railway Managers have been empowered to re-engage retired employees on certain  conditions,  as under:

- (i) Railway should give publicity to such re-engagement, by putting in on Railway websites.
- (ii)  While re-engaging such staff, medical fitness of the appropriate category should  be  obtained  from  the  designated  authorities  as  per  existing practices.
- (iii)  Suitability/competency  of  the  staff  should  be  adjudged  before  such  reengagement  and  the  issue  of  their  safety  record  as  well  as  other operational requirements as needed should be adequately addressed.
- (iv)  Maximum  age  limit  for  which  re-engagement  shall  continue  will  be  65 years.
- (v) Retired employees being re-engaged, should not have been covered under the  Safety  Related  Retirement  Scheme/Liberalized  Active  Retirement Scheme for Guaranteed Employment for Safety Staff (LARSGESS).
- (vi) This scheme is valid up to 01.12.2019.

(e): For  various  non-gazetted  posts  on  Indian  Railways,  Railway  Recruiting agencies are regularly providing panels of successful candidates to Railway/Production  Units  concerned  for  safety  category  posts.  A  recruitment process  has  been  initiated  to  fill  up  around  90,000  vacancies  mainly  in  safety category, for which employment Notices were issued in February 2018.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5356 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: India-Based Neutrino Observatory
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: NAGARAJAN P.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5356

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## INDIA-BASED NEUTRINO OBSERVATORY

## 5356.    SHRI P. NAGARAJAN:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  written  to  the  State  of  Tamil  Nadu  to  grant permission to set up India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) in Theni, Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the response received by the Government in this regard;
- (c) the time by which the INO is estimated to be operationalised; and
- (d) the total budget estimate for the project?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Yes, Sir.
- (b) During  December,  2010  the  Department  of  Atomic  Energy  (DAE)  had  sent letter to Government of Tamil Nadu for allotment of land to set up India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) surface facilities & for setting up of the National Centre  for  High  Energy  Physics-INO  centre.  Accordingly,  Government  of Tamil  Nadu  had  allotted  land  of  26.8  ha  for  the  project  at  Bodi  West  Hills (BWH), Theni District, Tamil Nadu.
- (c) Seven years after obtaining all statutory clearances.
- (d) Sanctioned cost of the project is Rs.1583 Crore.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5355 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Sustainable Development Goals
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: PREM DAS RAI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5355

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 28 th  March, 2018

## SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

## 5355. SHRI PREM DAS RAI:

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

PROGRAMME

- (a) the measures that have been taken by the Ministry in tracking and reporting  data  on  progress  towards  Sustainable  Development  Goals (SDGs);
- (b) the progress made towards achieving the SDG targets; and
- (c)  the  ways  and  measures  by  which  the  Ministry  aims  to  expedite collection of data on outcomes achieved with regard to implementation of SDGs?

## 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) :  The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation has  developed  National  Indicator  Framework  for  adoption  by  the Government containing list of national indicators for national monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). These indicators  will  be  the  basis  of  monitoring  of  SDGs  at  national  level based on the data provided by various Ministries/Departments implementing SDGs.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5354 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Reimbursement of Tuition Fee
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: RAJAN BABURAO  VICHARE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5354

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 28 TH  MARCH, 2018

## REIMBURSEMENT OF TUITION FEE

## 5354.  SHRI  RAJAN VICHARE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has curtailed the reimbursement of tuition and hostel fees provided  to  the  children  of  working  and  retired  armed  forces  personnel  including martyred, disabled and missing soldiers / officers;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  reasons  therefor along  with  the  likely saving  in Government exchequer as a result thereof;
- (c) whether servicemen and ex-servicemen are distressed by the  Government decision;
- (d) if so, whether the Government proposes to reconsider the decision; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

र  ा रा य मं ी

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) The combined amount of tuition fee and hostel charges provided to the children of Armed Forces Officers / PBORs missing / disabled / killed in action has  been capped  at Rs.10,000 p.m. in accordance  with the recommendations of the 7 th Central Pay Commission (7 th CPC) as accepted by the Government.

(DR. SUBHASH BHAMRE)

(डा. सुभाष भामरे)

:  2  :

Keeping  in  view  that  both  the  number  of  students  and  the  tuition  / hostel  fee  are  open-ended,  no  fixed  /  uniform  amount  of  savings  can  be indicated.  Out of total reported 2679 students during the year 2017-18, 193 students have been reported to be drawing more than the capped amount of tuition / hostel fee and savings have been reported to be Rs.3.20 crore

(Approximately). (c) Representations have been received for removal of cap of Rs.10,000 p.m. on combined amount of tuition fee / hostel charges from some of the affected beneficiaries. (d) & (e): The  Government  has  decided  to  continue  the  educational concession without the cap of Rs.10,000 p.m.

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5352 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Deadline For AADHAAR Linkage
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: SAUGATA ROY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5352

TO BE ANSWERED ON 28-03-2018

## DEADLINE FOR AADHAAR LINKAGE

## 5352.   PROF. SAUGATA ROY:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government intends to extend the deadline for Aadhaar linking with various services;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of Government services linked to Aadhaar;
- (d) whether the said services are updated for Aadhaar linking; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI K. J. ALPHONS)

(a) and (b): Hon'ble Supreme Court, in W.P (C) 494 of 2012 regarding Aadhaar matters, has passed  an  interim  order  dated  13 th March,  2018  on  the  issue  of  extension  of  deadline  for Aadhaar linking with various schemes/services.  The relevant extract of the said order reads as under:-

'………on a query being  made,  Mr.  K.K.  Venugopal,  learned  Attorney  General  for  India submitted that this court may think of extending the interim order.  However, the benefits, subsidies  and  services  covered  under  Section  7  of  the  Aadhaar  (Targeted  Delivery  of Financial and other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016 should remain undisturbed.

Having heard learned counsel for the parties, we accept the submission made by the learned Attorney General. Subject to that, we direct that the interim order passed on 15.12.2017 shall stand extended till the matter is finally heard and the judgment is pronounced. That apart, the directions issued in the interim order shall apply as stated in paragraphs 11 to 13 in the said order....

It is also directed that the same shall also control and govern the Passports (1 st Amendment) Rules, 2018.'

(c),  (d)  and  (e): Different  Ministries/Departments  of  Central  Government  have  issued notifications  under  section  7  of  the  Aadhaar  (Targeted  Delivery  of  Financial  and  Other Subsidies,  Benefits  and  Services)  Act  2016,  in  respect  of  252  Schemes  till  31 st December 2017,  where  Aadhaar  authentication  or  proof  of  possession  of  Aadhaar  as  a  means  of identification of beneficiary is a requirement. These notifications also provide mechanism to handle  such  cases  where  Aadhaar  number  is  not  assigned  to  an  individual  and  instruct implementing agencies to deliver benefits on the basis of alternate identity documents.

- ******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5351 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Cyber Physical System
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Tejpratap Singh,Yadav, ANJU BALA

- (a) Yes, Madam.

(b) Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) is a new initiative launched in 2016 to promote and foster R&D in Cyber  Physical  Systems  and  related  areas  like  Data  Science,  Internet  of  Things,  Cyber  Security,  and Quantum  Communication;  To  develop  technologies,  prototypes  and  demonstrate  associated  applications pertaining to national priorities; To enhance high end researchers base, Human Resource Development in these  emerging  areas;  To  establish  and  strengthen  the  international  collaborative  research  for  cross fertilization  of  ideas;  and  To  enhance  core  competencies,  capacity  building  and  training  to  nurture innovation and start-up ecosystem.

- (c) Yes, Madam.
- (d) The Mission on CPS aims at research, technology development in the area of artificial intelligence, Robotics, setting up of advanced manufacturing, big data analytics, quantum communication, Internet of Things  (IoT),  training  and  skilling,  establishment  of  dedicated  Centre  of  Excellence  to  carry  out  domain specific research, training and capacity building;  HRD and Capacity & Training through fellowships and short term training for faculty and to enhance innovation and start-up ecosystem in the country.

(e) The  Government  has  initiated  National  Missions  on  new  frontier  cutting  edge  technologies  like Quantum  Computation,  Quantum  Communication,  Quantum  key  distribution,  Super  Computing,  Nano Technology, Solar System Development, Cyber Physical Systems, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, Big Data and Data Science.  Some of the Missions are being implemented and some of them are at launching stage.

- ********

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5351 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28/3/2018

## CYBER PHYSICAL SYSTEM

## 5351. SHRI TEJ PRATAP SINGH YADAV: SHRIMATI ANJU BALA:

Will the Minister of SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Department  of  Science  and  Technology  will  launch  a  Mission  on  Cyber  Physical Systems;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has planned to invest in research, training and skilling in robotics, digital manufacturing, big data analysis, quantum communication and internet of things, to harness the benefit of emerging new technology;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  research  and  development  in  new  frontier  cutting  edge technologies in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES AND MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ +ÉÉè® |ÉÉètÉÉäÉÊMÉBÉEÉÒ àÉÆjÉÉÒ, {Éßl´ÉÉÒ ÉÊ´ÉYÉÉxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ +ÉÉè® {ÉªÉÉÇ´É®hÉ, ´ÉxÉ A´ÉÆ VÉãÉ´ÉÉªÉÖ {ÉÉÊ®´ÉiÉÇxÉ àÉÆjÉÉÒ

(bÉ. c­ÉÇ ´ÉvÉÇxÉ)
Lok Sabha Question No. 5350 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Indo-French Railways Forum
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: R. PARTHIPAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5350 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## INDO-FRENCH RAILWAYS FORUM

5350.  SHRI  R. PARTHIPAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government is planning for the creation of a permanent IndoFrench Railways Forum;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether the  purpose  is  to  enhance  the  already  existing  cooperation  so that representatives of the two countries can share information;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of proposed projects  under the forum?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a) to  (e) : A Letter of Intent has been signed by Hon'ble Minister of Railways, India and  Hon'ble Minister of Europe  and  Foreign Affairs, France  on 10.03.2018  to set up permanent Indo-French Railway Forum.

The  forum  envisages  to  provide  the  framework  for  the  exchange  of information  between  both  the  countries  specifically  dedicated  to  policy development and the follow-up of issues pertaining to transport sector with a focus on railways including high speed, semi-high speed, regulating competition,  intermodality,  stations,  sustainable  urban  mobility  solutions, waste management and safety systems.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-03-28
Subject: Low Occupancy in Duronto Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: CHANDRAKANT RAGHUNATH PATIL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5347 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2018

## LOW OCCUPANCY IN DURONTO TRAINS

5347. SHRI C.R.PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Duronto Express trains on various routes are currently running with very low occupancy rate;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether there is any plan to increase the number of stoppage of Duronto Express to facilitate the passengers and also to enhance the occupancy rate; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  and  (b):  The  demand  pattern  on  Indian  Railways  is  not  uniform throughout the year and it varies during the peak and lean seasons. The demand for travel surges especially during the peak season like during summer holidays, festivals etc. The overall average occupancy of all Duronto trains during the financial year 2017-18 (up to February, 2018) was approximately 93%.

(c) and (d): With a view to improve the occupancy in Duronto Express trains, operational stoppages of these trains have been converted into commercial stoppages. However, at present, there  is  no  proposal  to increase the number of stoppages enroute Duronto trains.

*****