opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 493 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Medical Colleges
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.493

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2019

## MEDICAL COLLEGES

## 493. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is proposing to establish medical colleges in the Railway hospitals and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  courses  that  will  be  offered  in  these  medical  colleges  and  the details of the admission process; and
- (c) the tentative date by which such proposals will be brought into effect?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

- (a) Yes, Madam. Railway intends to start Post Graduate Medical courses at Railway hospitals having 300 or more beds. The identified hospitals are (1)  B.A.M  Central  Hospital,  Byculla,  Central  Railway  (2)  B.R.  Singh Central  Hospital,  Sealdah,  Eastern  Railway  (3)  Central  Hospital,  New Delhi,  Northern  Railway  (4)  L.N.M.R.  Central  Hospital,  North  Eastern Railway (5)  Central  Hospital,  Maligaon,  Northeastern  Frontier  Railway (6)  Central Hospital, Perambur, Southern Railway (7) Central Hospital, Lallaguda,  South  Central  Railway  (8)  Central  Hospital,  Garden  Reach,

Kolkata,  South  Eastern  Railway  (9)  Divisional  Railway,  Kharagpur, South Eastern Railway and (10) J.R. Hospital, Central Hospital, Mumbai, Western Railway. & (c) Establishment of colleges, courses to be offered and admission authority.

(b) process are decided after the approval of competent Therefore, no specific date can be fixed, at present.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 492 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Facilities at Model Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SUKENDER REDDY GUTHA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.492 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2019

## FACILITIES AT MODEL STATIONS

492. SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Railways  is  embarking  on  a  programme  of  improving facilities at the selected railway stations in the country with a view to make them Model Stations and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of the railway stations identified for this purpose in the State of Telangana; and

(c) the details of the facilities being provided under the Model Stations programme?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 492 BY SHRI GUTHA SUKENDER REDDY TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 06.02.2019 REGARDING FACILITIES AT MODEL STATIONS

(a): Improvement/upgradation of facilities/amenities at Railway stations is a continuous and on-going process. At present, modernisation/upgradation of stations is undertaken under 'Adarsh Station  Scheme'.  Selection  of  Railway  stations  under  Adarsh  Station Scheme is based on the identified need for upgradation of amenities at the station.

(b):  At  present,  1253  stations  including  25  stations  in  the  State  of Telangana have been identified under this scheme.

List of 25 stations in Telangana identified for development under Adarsh Station Scheme is as under:

| Telangana (25)   | Adilabad, Aler, Bhongir, Ghanpur, Jammikunta, Jangaon, Kamareddi, Karimnagar, Kazipet, Khammam, Lingampalli, Mahbubnagar, Malkajgiri, Nalgonda,   |
|------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|

(c): Adarsh stations are provided with additional basic facilities such as improvement  to  the  facade,  waiting  room,  landscaping  of  circulating area,  signages,  pay  &  use  toilets,  platforms,  foot  over  bridge,  water coolers, passenger reservation system, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 488 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Repair of ROBS
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: GOPAL CHINAYYA SHETTY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 488 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2019

## REPAIR OF ROBS

† 488. SHRI GOPAL SHETTY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  the number of railway bridges which are in dilapidated condition and need  major  repair,  strengthening  or  reconstruction  as  on  date  and  the details thereof;

(b) whether any detailed scheme  has been formulated to repair, strengthen and reconstruct dilapidated bridge which pose danger for the operation of trains; and

(c)  if so the details thereof?

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

(a) to (c): As on 01.04.2018, there are 1,47,523 railway water way bridges on all gauges of varying ages on Indian Railways' network. Similarly, as on 01.04.2018, there are 2870 nos. of Road over Bridges (ROBs) which are given the same attention as given to Rail Bridges.  However, the age of the bridge does not have any direct relevance on the physical condition of the bridge. There is a well established system of inspection of bridges on Cont./2…..

Indian  Railways.  All  the  bridges  are  inspected  twice  a  year,  one  before the onset of monsoon by supervisors and one detailed inspection after the monsoon by officers. In addition, certain bridges are also inspected more frequently depending  upon  their  condition. Repair / strengthening  / rehabilitation / rebuilding of  railway bridges is a continuous process and is undertaken in a planned way whenever so warranted by their physical condition as ascertained during these inspections and not on the basis of age.  If the corrective / remedial measures are expected to take a long duration due to the complexity of the site situation, etc., suitable safety measures like imposing speed restrictions and keeping such bridge under close  watch  are  taken  till  the  bridge is repaired  /  strengthened  / rehabilitated / rebuilt. All bridges are safe for train movement at permitted /  restricted  speed.  During  last  five  years  (2014-15  to  2018-19  upto December 2018), a total of 3601 bridges have been repaired / strengthened / rehabilitated / rebuilt on Indian Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 486 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Internet Shutdown
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: KIRRON KHER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.486 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6 TH  FEBRUARY, 2019

## INTERNET SHUTDOWN

486.   SHRIMATI KIRRON KHER:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry maintains records of details pertaining to the suspension of internet services in the country during law and order situations, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Ministry has taken any necessary steps to ensure that people have access to emergency communication services during internet shutdowns; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) Central  Government  has  not  issued  any  order  of  internet  shutdown  under  the provisions of Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017.

Police and public order are State subjects as per the Constitution and States are responsible  for  prevention,  detection  and  investigation  of  crimes  through  their  law enforcement machinery. Concerned State Governments are empowered to issue orders for temporary suspension of internet services to maintain law and order in the State or part thereof under the provisions contained in the Temporary Suspension of Telecom Services (Public Emergency or Public Safety) Rules, 2017. Records related to internet shutdowns  ordered  by  State  Governments  are  not  maintained  by  the  Department  of Telecommunications.

- (b) & (c) In temporary shutdown of internet services in a region, only internet/data services  are  suspended  temporarily,  and  other  communication  means/services  like voice calling and  Short Message  Service  (SMS)    remain  available during the suspension  period  of  internet  services,  through  which  people  in  the  region  can communicate and access emergency communication services.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 485 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: ANTO  ANTONY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.485

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2019

## PRAVASI BHARTIYA BIMA YOJANA

## 485. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is implementing any scheme called Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY);
- (b) if so, the details thereof including its objectives and salient features;
- (c) whether the Government has any record regarding the claims settled under PBBY during the last five years; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof, State, year, and amount-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) is a mandatory insurance scheme for all Emigration Check Required (ECR) category workers going to ECR countries.The scheme provides an insurance cover of 10 Lakhs in case of accidental death or permanent disability and few other benefits at a nominal insurance premium of Rs. 275 and Rs. 375 for a period of two and three years respectively. The Scheme, initially launched in 2003, has been amended from time to time with the overarching objective of expanding the benefits for emigrant workers.

The revised scheme PBBY, 2017, operational w.e.f. August 1, 2017, has made settlement of claims simpler for the benefit of our workers and is aimed at ensuring expeditious settlement of claims. The salient features of PBBY, 2017 are as follows:

- (i) The insured person is covered for a sum of Rs.10 lakhs in the event of accidental death or permanent disability irrespective of change of employer, employee's location and place of work.
- (ii)  Acceptance   by   insurance   companies   of   certification   of   accidental   death/permanent disability by Indian Missions/Posts abroad.
- (iii) Facility for online renewal and copy of insurance policy is to be made available to the nominee(s).

(c) & (d)   As per information received from insurance companies, 812 claims of Rs 6335.4 lakhs have been settled from 1.4.2014 till 31.12.18. The details are placed at Annexure-I . However, the   insurance   companies   have   informed   that   they   only   maintain   consolidated   figures   of settlement of claims and not the state wise details.

*****

|   Sl. No . | Details Required                      |   2014-15 |   2015-16 |   2016-17 |   2017-18 |   2018-19 (01.04.2018- 31.12.2018) |   Total |
|------------|---------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|------------------------------------|---------|
|          1 | Premium Collected for PBBY (In Lakhs) |   2572.11 |   2164.38 |   1400.22 |   1110.97 |                             777.83 | 8025.51 |
|          2 | Number of claims settled              |    336    |    221    |    109    |     89    |                              57    |  812    |
|          3 | Amount of Claims settled (In Lakhs)   |   2055.08 |   1873.64 |   1048.86 |    816    |                             541.8  | 6335.38 |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 483 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Package for Bundelkhand
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 483 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2019

## PACKAGE FOR BUNDELKHAND

## 483. SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

Will the Minister of PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to give any special package to the backward areas like Bundelkhand in the forthcoming plan/action plan; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (RAO INDERJIT SINGH )

- (a) & (b): Special Package to a State/district was given to address the special problems, like drought, cyclone, flood etc. faced by the States. The Bundelkhand Package was approved in 2009 for Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh for a total central assistance of Rs.7,466 crore. During  2009-10  to  2017-18  (as  on  31.03.2018),  Rs.6257.35  crore  has  been  released  for Bundelkhand Package.  This  comprises  release  of  Rs.3,107.87  crore  to  Government  of  Uttar Pradesh  and  Rs.  3,149.48  crore  to  Government  of  Madhya  Pradesh.  At  present,  there  is  no proposal under consideration to grant special package to backward areas like Bundelkhand.
- ---
Lok Sabha Question No. 482 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Chandrayaan-II
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: MALLIKARJUN  KHARGE, ELUMALAI VELLAIGOUNDER

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.482

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2019

## CHANDRAYAAN - II

482. SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE: SHRI V. ELUMALAI:
2. Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:
3. (a)
4. the current status of the Chandrayaan-II programme;
5. (b) the reasons for missing stipulated deadline of January 2019 for the launch of Chandrayaan-II and by when it is expected to be launched now;
6. (c) whether the delay in the Chandrayaan-II programme resulted in any  escalation  in  the  budget  of  Rs.  800  crore  which  was announced earlier for the programme;
7. (d)
8. if so, the details thereof; and
9. (e) whether ISRO has planned 32 missions this year and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

- MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PG & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):
- (a) Lander  (Vikram)  is  undergoing  final  integration  tests.  Rover (Pragyan) has completed all tests and waiting for the Vikram readiness to undergo further tests. Orbiter of Chandrayaan-2 is ready for integration with the Lander.

(b) Vikram is totally a new and complicated design. Several tests are to be conducted in order to prove the design. These tests have taken more time than expected.

(c) There is no cost escalation due to this delay.

(d) Not applicable.

(e) Yes. They are 17 launch vehicle missions, 18 satellite missions and one technology demonstration.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 481 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Launch of DD Science and India Science Channels
Ministry: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: (ADV.) JOICE GEORGE

- (a) Yes, Madam.
- (b) The Government of India has launched two science communication initiatives; DD Science and India Science channels on 15 January 2019 at New Delhi to popularize science & technology in India.  DD  Science  is  a  one-hour  slot  on  Doordarshan  National  Channel.  The  programmes  are telecast  from  Monday  to  Saturday  from  5  pm  to  6  pm.  It  is  an  initiative  of  the  Department  of Science  &  Technology,  Government  of  India,  implemented  and  managed  by  Vigyan  Prasar  in collaboration with Doordarshan, Prasar Bharati. DD Science programmes can be accessed on any DTH  platforms.  India  Science  (www.indiascience.in)  is  an  internet  based  Science  TV  channel initiated  by  the  Department  of  Science  &  Technology,  implemented  and  managed  by  Vigyan Prasar. India Science is a bilingual channel in English & Hindi. It can be accessed on any Internetenabled  device  like  laptop,  Desktop,  Smart  phone  and  Smart  TV  etc.  The  India  Science  Mobile Apps can be downloaded from the Google Play Store and Apple Store.
- (c) Yes, Madam. The initiatives are for science & technology popularization, and inculcation, development and nurturing of scientific temper with Indian prospective.
- (d) The programmes would cover wide spectrum of scientific topics in the areas of Health and Medicine, Science and Innovation, Agriculture, Environment and Energy, Biographies of Scientists, Scientific Heritage, Technologies etc. The video content developed would be research based films, studio-based discussions, talks, field-based programmes, events, documentaries, hands-on experiments, science news etc.

********

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

## DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.481 TO BE ANSWERED ON 6/2/2019

## LAUNCH OF DD SCIENCE AND INDIA SCIENCE CHANNELS

481. ADV. JOICE GEORGE:

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

- (a) whether the Government has recently launched the initiatives DD Science and India Science channels to popularise science in India;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the initiatives aim to develop the scientific temper in Indian society; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## 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. 480 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Stoppage at Alappuzha Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: K. C. VENUGOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 480

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2019

## STOPPAGE AT ALAPPUZHA RAILWAY STATION

480.  SHRI K.C. VENUGOPAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has taken any decision regarding the extension of stoppage at Alappuzha Railway Station for Train number 16355/ KochuveliMangalore Antyodaya Express, which was granted on an experimental basis for six months;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the number of average passengers availing the benefits of this experimental stoppage at Alappuzha Railway Station; and
- (e)  whether  the  Railways  has  analysed  the profit/loss  due  to  this  stoppage and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Stoppage of 16355/16356 Kochuveli-Mangaluru Antyodaya Express has been provided at Alappuzha on an experimental basis for 6 months with effect  from  12.07.2018.  However,  it  has  been  decided  to  continue  this experimental stoppage till further review.
- (d): During the period from 12.07.2018 to 31.12.2018, on an average 63 & 18 passengers  per  trip availed the  benefits  of  experimental  stoppage  at Alappuzha Railway Station by train nos. 16355 Kochuveli-Mangaluru & 16356 Mangaluru-Kochuveli Antyodaya Express trains.
- (e): Train-wise figures of profitability are not separately maintained. Therefore, details regarding profit/loss due to this stoppage are not available.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 479 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Prediction of Thunderstorms/Lightning
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: S. RAJENDRAN, VIJAY KUMAR S.R., T. RADHAKRISHNAN, GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH, SUDHEER GUPTA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No.  479 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019

## PREDICTION OF THUNDERSTORMS/LIGHTNING

479 SHRI S RAJENDRAN:

SHRI S. R. VIJAYAKUMAR:

SHRI T. RADHAKRISHNAN:

SHRI GAJANANKIRTIKAR:

KUNWAR HARIBANSH SINGH:

SHRI SUDHEER GUPTA

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- whether the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is set to launch predicting
- (a) an end to end prediction system for thunderstorms/lightning;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the system is likely to be functional;
- (c) the steps taken/being  taken  by  the IMD  to  strengthening  its observational  network  to  reduce  the  human  losses  during  the thunderstorms in the country;
- (d) whether  IMD  and  Indian  Institute  of  Tropical  Meteorology  (IITM), Pune are developing a new website for IMD along with the mobile Apps for farmers and city forecasts; and
- (e) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  it  is  likely  to  be launched?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) & (b)  Yes Madam. IMD has introduced nowcasting (for the next two hours) with effect from 2016 by which location of occurrence of thunderstorms and associated severe weather can be provided by about 2-3 hours in advance. The new service level products from the Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models for improved location specific forecast of thunderstorms are likely to become operational from  the  premonsoon  season  of  2019.  In  addition  to  this,  IMD  in collaboration with Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology & Indian Air Force is developing an operational product by overlaying lightning data on Satellite  &  DWR  images  for  the  benefit  of thunderstorms and associated severe weather prediction.

(c) In  order  to  monitor  severe  weather  events,  IMD  has  plans  to upgrade  the existing observational  network  by installing  new Doppler Weather Radars and Wind Profilers.

(d)&(e)  Yes Madam.IMD is working in collaboration with Indian Institute of Tropical  Meteorology  Pune  are  developing  a  new  website  for  IMD along with the mobile Apps for farmers and city forecasts and will be launched by December 2019.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 478 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Wing for Children Found at Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAKSHA NIKHIL KHADSE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 478 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2019

## WING FOR CHILDREN FOUND AT STATIONS

478.  SHRIMATI RAKSHATAI KHADSE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the recent study by the All India Working Group suggests to set up separate wing to deal with children found as the Railway Police  or  Railway  Protection  Force  cannot  effectively  discharge the duty of child care and protection;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the action Government proposes in this regard?

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

(a):  No  such  study  report  of  the  All  India  Working  Group  has  been received by the Ministry of Railways.

- (b) & (c): Do not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-02-06
Subject: Increase in Speed of Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 476 TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.02.2019

## INCREASE IN SPEED OF TRAINS

†476.  SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has increased the speed of some trains during the last three years;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether the railway tracks are capable enough to manage the increased speed of trains and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to improve the railway tracks keeping in view the increased speed of trains?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b): The information is being collected and will be laid on the Table of the House.

(c) & (d): Running of high speed trains is decided on specific routes of Indian Railways, only after conducting necessary trials. Required improvements in the field of track, Signal and Traction are carried out as per trial reports.

*****