opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 186 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Defence Reforms
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 186

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  March, 2020

## DEFENCE REFORMS

*186. DR. AMAR SINGH:

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

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the need to undertake a number of defence reforms to tackle the external security threats particularly from China;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to reduce the size of the Army so that  expenditure  on  salaries  and  pensions  can  be  redirected  for  procurement  of weapons?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF DEFENCE                                    (SHRI RAJNATH SINGH)

j{kk ea=h

¼Jh राजनाथ स िंह )

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

*******

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c)  OF  LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  186  FOR  ANSWER  ON  04.03.2020 REGARDING 'DEFENCE REFORMS'.

External  security  threats  are  considered  in  a  holistic  manner,  keeping  the overall security of the nation in mind.  Specific issues pertaining to a particular nation are not divulged considering the sensitivity of the issue.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 185 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Baramulla-Kupwara Rail Link
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mohammad Akbar Lone

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.185 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## BARAMULLA-KUPWARA RAIL LINK

- *185.  SHRI MOHAMMAD AKBAR LONE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal/received any request for the  extension  of  rail  link  from  Baramulla  to  Kupwara  and  Kupwara  to Lalab;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the present status of the extension of these rail links?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

ANSWER (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 185 BY SHRI  MOHAMMAD  AKBAR  LONE  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  04.03.2020  REGARDING  BARAMULLAKUPWARA RAIL LINK. (a) to (c) Yes, Sir.   Survey of new Broad Gauge Railway line between Baramulla  and  Kupwara  (39  km)  was  completed  in  2010-11.    The estimated cost of the project at price level of 2010-11 was 628 crore with Rate of Return (ROR) of (-) 7.48%.   The project could not be taken forward after survey due to financially unviability. In November, 2018, survey of the projected line had been sanctioned to assess the cost at the current level and same was undertaken. Further, consideration  of  this  proposal  shall  be  possible  once  survey  report becomes available and results thereon are firmed up. No  survey  for  extension  of  rail  link  from  Kupwara  to  Lalab  has  been completed /under consideration, at present.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 183 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Amendment in Family Pension Rules
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Rajan Baburao  Vichare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PENSION AND PENSIONERS' WELFARE)

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 183

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020)

## AMENDMENT IN FAMILY PENSION RULES

## †*183. SHRI RAJAN VICHARE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has amended the Rule 54(3) of Family Pension Rules, 1964; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO THE PARTS (A) & (B) OF THE LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  183  FOR  ANSWER  ON  04.03.2020  RAISED  BY SHRI  RAJAN  VICHARE,  MP  REGARDING  AMENDMENT  IN  FAMILY  PENSION RULES

(a) & (b):  In accordance with sub-rule (2) of Rule 54 of the Central Civil Services (Pension) Rules, 1972, on death of a Government servant or a pensioner, family pension is payable to the family at the rate of  30 percent of last pay.

In accordance with sub-rule (3) of Rule 54 of the said Rules, as existed before 1.10.2019, on  death  of  a  serving  Government  servant,  family  pension  was  payable  to  the  family  of  the deceased Government servant at enhanced rate of  50 percent of last pay for a period of 10 years from  the  date  following  the  date  of  death  of  the  Government  servant,  provided  the  deceased Government servant had rendered a minimum of 7 years' continuous service.

Sub-rule  (3)  of  Rule  54  of  the  Central  Civil  Services  (Pension)  Rules,  1972  has  been amended  vide  Notification  No.1/23/2018-P&PW(E)  dated  19.9.2019  (G.S.R.  673(E)  )  to dispense with the requirement of minimum 7 years' continuous service for payment of enhanced family pension to the family of the deceased Government servant. The amended provision has come  into  force  from  1st  October,  2019.  After  this  amendment,  on  death  of  a  serving Government  servant,  family  pension  is  payable  to  the  family  of  the  deceased  Government servant at enhanced rate of  50 percent of last pay for a period of 10 years, even if the deceased Government servant had rendered less than 7 years' continuous service.

As per this Notification, the family of a Government servant, who died within ten years before 01.10.2019 without having completed continuous service of 7 years, shall also be eligible for family pension at the enhanced rates with effect from 01.10.2019, subject to fulfillment of other conditions for grant of family pension.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 181 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Young Scientist Programme
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Sajda Ahmed

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 181

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 04, 2020 YOUNG SCIENTISTS PROGRAMME

- *181.   SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Indian  Space  Research  Organisation  (ISRO)  has launched Young Scientist Programme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the selection procedure for rural students;
- (d) whether  ISRO  will  bear  the  expenditure  of  the  participating students; and
- (e) 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) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO STARRED QUESTION N0.181 REGARDING 'YOUNG SCIENTISTS PROGRAMME" ASKED BY SHRIMATI SAJDA AHMED FOR ANSWERING ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 04, 2020.

- (a) Yes Sir, ISRO has launched a programme called Young Scientist Programme.
- (b) Indian  Space  Research  Organisation  (ISRO)  is  conducting  a special programme for school students called Young Scientist Programme (YUva VIgyani KAryakram - YUVIKA) from the year 2019 onwards. 3 students each from every State/ Union Territory, studying in 9 th Standard are selected for this programme  through  online  registration.  The  two  week  long programme is primarily aimed at imparting basic knowledge on space technology, space science and space applications to the students  with  the  intent  of  arousing  their  interest  in  the emerging areas of space activities.
- (c) The selection is based on the 8 th Standard academic performance  and  achievements  in  extracurricular  activities including sports. An additional weightage of 15% is given to the students, who are studying in the schools located in rural area.
- (d) & (e)

Expenditure  towards  the  travel  of  student  (to  the  reporting centre  and  back),  course  material,  lodging  and  boarding  etc., during the entire course is borne by ISRO.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2300 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Selection Centre in Punjab
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Manish Tewari

## भारत सरकार रक्षा मंत्राऱय सैन्य कायय विभाग ऱोक सभा अतारांककत प्रश्न संख्या 2300

## 04 मार्य, 2020 को उत्तर क े  लऱए

## पंजाब में र्यन क े न्र 2300 . श्री मनीश ततिारी:

क्या रऺा मंत्री यह बताने की क ृ ऩा करेंगे कक :

- (क) क्या ऩंजाब राज्य सरकार ने रूऩनगर में चयन के न्द्र के लऱए सेना को भूलम आबंटित की
- है ;
- (ख) यटद हां , तो क्या चयन के न्द्रों का ननमााण आरंभ हो गया है;
- (ग) यटद हां , तो तत्संबंधी ब्यौरा क्या है और यटद नह ं , तो इसक े क्या कारण हैं; और
- (घ) के न्द्र का ननमााण काया कब तक आरंभ और ऩूरा करने और यहां भती आरंभ ककए जाने की संभावना है?

## उत्तर रक्षा मंत्राऱय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री श्रीपाद नाईक)

(क) से (घ): ऩंजाब सरकार ने चयन क े न्द्र क े  लऱए रूऩनगर में भूलम आवंटित की है। आवंटित भूलम को ननमााण काया क े  लऱए उऩयुक्त नह ं ऩाया गया अत् ननमााण काया आरंभ नह ं हो सका। तथापऩ, 1 माचा, 2016 से उम्मीदवारों का चयन कऩूरथऱा में ककया जा रहा है।

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 2299 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Data Protection
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: K. Shanmuga Sundaram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND  INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  2299

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 04.03.2020

## DATA PROTECTION

## 2299.    SHRI SHANMUGA SUNDARAM K.:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  report  from  Justice  B.N.  Srikrishan Committee on data protection along with draft legislation on data protection;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the report categorises data into personal and non-personal data along with the identification of super sensitive data and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the categories of personal data identified in the said report;
- (e) whether the Government has accepted the classification of personal data in the report and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government will include non-personal data in the proposed legislation on data protection and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a)  and  (b):  The  Government  had constituted  a  Committee  of  Experts  on  data  protection, chaired  by  Justice  (Retd)  B.N.  Srikrishna,  Supreme  Court  of  India  to  study  various  issues relating to data protection.    The committee had submitted its report and a draft bill which are available at https://meity.gov.in/data-protection-framework.
- (c)  and  (d):  Chapter  8  of  the  above  draft  Bill  speaks  about  classifying  personal  data  into sensitive personal data and critical personal data.
- (e) : Based on the recommendations of the Committee of Experts and a multitude of feedback received from diverse stakeholders, the draft bill has been duly updated and the Personal Data Protection (PDP) Bill, 2019 has been introduced in Parliament during the winter session 2019 and  the  bill  has  been  referred  to  a  Joint  Committee  of  the  Parliament.  In  this  bill  similar classification of personal data has been made.
- (f) In the draft PDP Bill tabled in Parliament there is an enabling Clause 91 that facilitates use of              non-personal data by Government as an input for policy making process.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2297 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Gauge Conversion of Udaipur - Ahmedabad Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Arjunlal Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2297 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## GAUGE CONVERSION OF UDAIPUR-AHMEDABAD RAILWAY LINE † 2297.   SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a)  the total funds allocated to Railways in the current budget and the  funds  allocated  for  gauge  conversion  in  the  budget  by  the Ministry of Finance;
- (b)  whether  more  budget  has  been  sanctioned  to  expedite  and complete the gauge conversion works of Udaipur-Ahmedabad (Gujarat) line on time; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)  :  Total  outlay for Capital expenditure for Indian Railways in the current year, as per Revised Estimates 2019-20 is ₹ 1,56,352 crore. Outlay sanctioned for Gauge Conversion is ₹ 3,193 crore.
- (b)  and  (c)  : ₹ 332.60  crore  have  been  allocated  to  the  work  of 'Ahmedabad-Himmatnagar-Udaipur (299.2 km) incl. Modasa-Shamlaji Road  (22.53  km)'  in  Revised  Estimates  2019-20.  Besides, ₹ 265 crore  have  been  proposed  in  Budget  Estimates  2020-21,  which  is sufficient for early completion of the project. A length of 135 km has been completed and the work has been taken up in the remaining section.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2296 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Sale of BSNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Chirag Paswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2296 TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 TH  MARCH, 2020

## SALE OF BSNL

## 2296. SHRI CHIRAG KUMAR PASWAN:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to sell Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) in the near future;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the time by which the said proposal is likely to be operationalised?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

- (a) There is no proposal to sell Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL).
- (b) to (d) Does not arise.

************
Lok Sabha Question No. 2295 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Recruitment Centre in Bihar
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Pintu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

## DEPARTMENT OF MILITARY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2295

TO BE ANSWERED ON 4 th  March, 2020

## RECRUITMENT CENTRE IN BIHAR

2295. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR PINTU:

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

- (a)  whether  the  Government  propose  to  set  up  an  army  recruitment  centre  in Muzaffarpur or Sitamarhi, keeping in view the continuous increase in unemployment in the flood affected areas in the North Bihar;
- (b) if so, the time by which it is likely to be set up; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

रक्षा राज्य मंत्री

( श्री श्रीपाद नाईक )

<!-- image -->

- (a)    to  (c):    An  Army  Recruitment  Office  (ARO)  is  already  functioning  from Muzaffarpur and conducting recruitment of local youth, Sitamarhi is covered by the same ARO.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2293 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Stations on PPP Model
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sukhbir Singh Badal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2293

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## STATIONS ON PPP MODEL

## †2293. SHRI SUKHBIR SINGH BADAL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)
- the status of PPP model in Railways;
- (b) whether  the  Government  plans  to  build  tracks,  manage  tracks  and trains stations on PPP model;
- (c)
- (d)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (d): Ministry of Railways (MoR) has taken initiatives in various areas viz. network expansion, setting up of locomotive factories, induction of railway wagons, Station Re-Development etc. to attract private investment and participation.

Ministry  of  Railways  had  formulated  Participative  Policy  2012,  to encourage  private  investment  in  providing  Railways  connectivity.  Under this  policy,  so  far,  13  projects  of ₹ 6,176  Crore  have  already  been completed  through  PPP  mode.  11  projects  of ₹ 22,098  Crore  are  under implementation including coal connectivity and port connectivity projects and in addition, 7 more projects of ₹ 13,421 Crore have already been given in-principle approval.

There  is  a  proposal  to  outsource  the  commercial  and  on  board services of  few trains and to permit private players to induct around 150 modern rakes with the objective to induct 'state of the art' rolling stock to provide world class travel experience to passengers. The responsibility of train operations and safety certification rests with Indian Railways.

Re-Development of Habibganj Station  has  been  undertaken  through Public  Private  Partnership  (PPP).  In  addition,  Request  for  Qualification (RFQ)  have  been  invited  for  four  more  stations  i.e.  Nagpur,  Gwalior, Amritsar and Sabarmati Stations on PPP mode.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2291 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Representation of SCs and STs in Government Service
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2291

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020)

## REPRESENTATION OF SCs AND STs IN GOVERNMENT SERVICE

## † 2291. SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) the percentage of representation of Scheduled Castes/Schedule Tribes officials working on the posts of Secretary, Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary and Deputy Secretary in the Government services along with their total number till date; and
- (b) the number of persons belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes categories who have been promoted to the higher posts in the Government services during the last three years and the details thereof, State/ UT-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a):    The  representation  based  data  is  collected  only  at  the  time  of  initial  recruitment. Appointment/promotion  to  senior  positions  is  not  on  representation  basis  and  such  data  is accordingly not maintained.
- (b):   The number of appointments made through promotion in respect of SCs and STs in Group A  posts,  as  per  information  received  from  various  Ministries/  Departments,  as  on  1.1.2016, 1.1.2017 and 1.1.2018, is as follows:-

| As on      |   Total Group A |   SCs Group A |   STs Group A |
|------------|-----------------|---------------|---------------|
| 01.01.2016 |            5953 |           864 |           377 |
| 01.01.2017 |            5944 |           657 |           276 |
| 01.01.2018 |            2918 |           373 |           157 |

However, State / UT -wise data on the same subject is not maintained.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2290 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Addition of Sleeper Coaches
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Navneet Ravi Rana

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2290

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## ADDITION OF SLEEPER COACHES

## 2290. SHRIMATI NAVNEET RAVI RANA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  60  per  cent  of  the  people travelling  in  the  Amravati-Pune  Express  are  middle  class  and  BPL families and could not afford to pay the exorbitant AC train fare;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  Government  would  make  any  provisions  to  add some more sleeper coaches and reduce the AC coaches for the benefit of majority of train passengers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the time by which a decision in the matter is likely to be taken?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to  (c)  Presently,  Amravati-Pune  sector,  on  end-to-end  basis,  is  being served by two pairs of services viz. 11405/11406 Amravati-Pune Express (Bi-weekly)  running  with  both  air-conditioned  and  non  air-conditioned accommodation and  22117/22118 Pune-Amravati AC Express (Weekly)  is running as a fully air-conditioned service. Attachment of non air-

conditioned class coaches in 22117/22118 Pune-Amravati AC Express is not feasible, at present, as the train is already running with maximum permissible  load  and  is  running  on  integrated  link  with  22125/22126 Nagpur-Amritsar  AC  Express  and  22123/22124  Pune-Ajni  AC  Express. However, augmentation/de-augmentation of coaches is an ongoing process on Indian Railways, subject to operational feasibility and commercial justification.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2287 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: User Development Fee
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Pritam Gopinath Munde, Behanan Benny, Chandra Sekhar Sahu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2287 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## USER DEVELOPMENT FEE

2287.  DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE:

SHRI BENNY BEHANAN: SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Union Government proposes to levy user development fee for redeveloped railway stations;
- (b) if so, the facts in this regard along with the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Union Government has assessed its impact on the poor railway passenger; and
- (d) if so, the response of the Union Government thereon?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)  to  (d):    A  Group  of  Secretaries  (GoS)  was  constituted  by Ministry  of  Railways  (Railway  Board)  for  redevelopment  of  50 railway stations. The GoS inter-alia suggested the levy of user fee for redevelopment of stations, which is presently under assessment at Ministry of Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2285 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-04
Subject: Modernisation of Railway Bridges
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mansukhbhai Dhanjibhai Vasava

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2285 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.03.2020

## MODERNISATION OF RAILWAY BRIDGES

- † 2285. SHRI MANSUKHBHAI  DHANJIBHAI  VASAVA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether any new scheme has been initiated by the Government for the modernisation of railway bridges in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the funds allocated for the said scheme in Gujarat?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2285 BY SHRI MANSUKHBHAI DHANJIBHAI VASAVA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.03.2020 REGARDING MODERNISATION OF RAILWAY BRIDGE

(a)  to  (c):  The  modernisation  of  bridges  through  process  of  regular inspections,  necessary  repair/strengthening/rehabilitation  is  accorded high priority in Indian Railways and there is a well established system of inspection of bridges on Indian Railways. Various modern technologies like Drone Survey, 3D Scanning of Riverbeds and Water Level Monitoring have been adopted and being used for the inspection of the bridges so that necessary repair/strengthening/rehabilitation is planned in advance. Information  on  bridges  is  maintained  Zone-Wise  and  not  State-Wise. Gujarat is  covered under North Western Railway and Western Railway. As  on 01.04.2019  a fund of ` 126  crore  has been  allocated for repair/strengthening/rehabilitation etc.  of  bridges  in  the  above  two Zones, also covering Gujarat.

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