Lok Sabha Question No. 6327 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-04-12
Subject: Expansion of Rail Network
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: AJAY (TENI) MISRA, KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6327 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.04.2017

## EXPANSION OF RAIL NETWORK

- †6327.  SHRI AJAY MISRA TENI: SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways is considering to expand railway network in the country and improving the local connectivity mechanism of rail link;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  efforts  made  to  expand  and increase the local connectivity of trains in Bundelkhand region during the last three years;
- (c) whether  the  Railways  also  proposes  to  link  tourist  and  religious centres  of  Bundelkhand  with  railway  routes  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) the  amount  of  total  Government  and  Non-Government  investment made in the Railways during the last two years?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

ANSWER (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.  6327  BY  SHRI  AJAY  MISRA  TENI  AND  SHRI  KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA  SINGH  CHANDEL  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 12.04.2017 REGARDING EXPANSION OF RAIL NETWORK

(a)  &  (b):    Expansion  of  rail  network  is  not  considered  State-wise,  regionwise.    However,  they  are  taken  up  on  the  basis  of  remunerativeness,  last mile  connectivity,  missing  links  and  alternate  routes,  augmentation  of congested/saturated  lines,  socio-economic  considerations  etc.  depending upon  throwforward  of  ongoing  projects,  overall  availability  of  funds  and competing  demands.    To  improve  connectivity,  Indian  Railways  have  fixed higher  targets  of  commissioning  of  New  Line/Gauge  Conversion  during  the last 3 years.  Indian Railways have also taken various initiatives to increase the  pace  of  connectivity  by  completion  of  projects  viz.  (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)  Inviting  State  Government  to  share  the  cost  of  Railway  Projects  and providing  land  free  of  cost,  (iii)  Initiative  for  formation  of  Joint  Venture Company  with  State  Governments  which  makes  the  States  a  partner  in growth of railway infrastructure in the States.

Indian  Railways do not run trains on region-wise basis as rail network straddles across the regional boundaries.

(c):  Railway projects are mostly sanctioned keeping economic viability or socio-economic considerations for upliftment of served area.  A railway line per se results into increased economic activities including tourism.  Many places  of religious and  tourist importance  invariably  fall  on  Railway Network & alignment of new railway links. However, a separate data is not maintained as to connectivity provided by Railways to such places including that of Bundelkhand.

(d):  The amount of total Government and Non-Government investment made by  the  Railways  during  the  last  two  years  and  upto  the  end  of  February, 2017 (Approx.) are as under:-

( ` in Crores)

|                                  | 2014-15   | 2015-16   | 2016-17 (RE)   |
|----------------------------------|-----------|-----------|----------------|
| Government investment            |           |           |                |
| Gross Budgetary Support:         |           |           |                |
| Capital                          | 30121.16  | 35007.87  | 35575          |
| Railway Safety Fund              | 2206.44   | 2600.60   | 10780          |
| Internal Resources:              |           |           |                |
| Development Fund                 | 2611.07   | 2931.62   | 2515           |
| Depreciation Reserve Fund        | 7286.93   | 7588.95   | 7200*          |
| Capital Fund                     | 5449.24   | 6324.74   | 5000           |
| Total Government investment      | 47674.84  | 54453.78  | 61070          |
| Non-Government investment        |           |           |                |
| Extra Budgetary Resources:       |           |           |                |
| EBR Bond                         | 11044.09  | 14097.06  | 18000          |
| EBR (IF)                         | -         | 9887.95   | 20930          |
| Public Private Partnership (PPP) | -         | 15081.00  | 21000          |
| Total Non-Government investment  | 11044.09  | 39066.01  | 59930          |
| TOTAL INVESTMENT                 | 58718.93  | 93519.79  | 121000         |

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