Lok Sabha Question No. 5093 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-05
Subject: Delay in Implementation of Projects
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: HARISH CHANDRA MEENA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5093 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2017

## DELAY IN IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECTS

## 5093.  SHRI HARISH MEENA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  complaints  received  from  various  States  regarding delay in implementation of railway projects in their States during the last  three  years,  year  and  State-wise  particularly  Rajasthan  and Jharkhand;
- (b) the steps taken/being taken by the Railways on these complaints and to expedite the completion of these projects;
- (c) whether  the  Railways  has  any  mechanism  to  monitor/review  and implement the suggestions made by the representatives of the people on matters relating to Railways;
- (d) if  so,  the  details  along  with  the  outcome  of  the  review  undertaken during the above period; and
- (e) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5093 BY SHRI HARISH MEENA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA  ON  05.04.2017  REGARDING  DELAY  IN  IMPLEMENTATION  OF PROJECTS

(a)  &  (b):    Complaints/suggestions/proposals/representations,  both  formal  and informal  regarding  Railway  Projects  are  received  from  State  Governments, Ministries  of  Central  Government,  Elected  representatives,  organizations/road users  etc.  by  Railways  at  various  levels  including  Railway  Board,  Zonal Railways,  Division  Office  etc.  As  receipt  of  such  complaints/suggestions  is  a continuous and dynamic process, centralized compendium of such requests is not maintained.

Railway  projects  are  highly  capital  intensive  and  have  long  gestation period. The most important cause of delay in Railway Projects is time taken in land  acquisition  which  needs  real  time  reciprocation  from  concerned  State Governments.  Apart  from  that,  every  railway  project  requires  a  number  of clearances from various Ministries and Departments of State/Central Governments, i.e. forestry clearance, shifting of utilities, clearances from local bodies for projects passing through urban areas, etc. Moreover, funds for the new line projects are allocated project-wise on yearly basis and is done as per availability of resources and progress of the project.

It  is  always  Railways'  endeavour  to  complete  the  ongoing  projects expeditiously.  Indian Railways have taken various initiatives to increase pace of execution of projects as detailed below:

- (i) The  capital  expenditure  for  railways  has  been  increased  from ` 58,718 Cr in 2014-15 to around ` 93,795 Cr in 2015-16. ` 1,21,000 crore  has  been  provided  in  Budget  2016-17  and  a  plan  size  of ` 1,31,000 crore has been kept for 2017-18.
- (ii) Delegation of Powers to the field officers for tenders and estimates: The  zonal  railways  have  now  been  delegated  full  powers  with

respect to works contracts, and powers with respect to sanctioning of estimates have also been enhanced. This has resulted in cutting down time for estimate sanctions and tenders. (iii) Institutional  financing  by  tying  up  loan  with  M/s  Life  Insurance Corporation of India Limited for assured funding of viable projects has increased Railway's capacity for committed fund provision for essential projects. (iv) Initiative for formation of  Joint  Venture  Company  with  State Governments which makes the States a partner in growth of railway infrastructure in the States. (c) to (e): All representations from Public representatives are duly considered and action taken to the extent implementable. There is a mechanism to hold discussions with Public representatives through the forums of NRUCC, ZRUCC & DRUCC etc. In addition, regular interactions are arranged with Members of Parliament  where  the  suggestion  from  Honourable  MPs  are  taken,  discussed and duly acted upon.

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