opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 60 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Upgradation of Rajdhani Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ADVOCATE NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 60 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2018

## UPGRADATION OF RAJDHANI EXPRESS

60.   ADV. NARENDRA KESHAV SAWAIKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  contemplating  to  upgrade  existing Rajdhani  Express  between  Delhi  and  Mumbai  which  will  take lesser time;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether trial run conducted by the Government has been found to be safe and successful; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which it is likely to be implemented?

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

(a) to (d): At present, there is no proposal of revising the timings of existing 2 pairs of Rajdhani Express  trains running between Delhi and Mumbai viz. 12951/12952 Mumbai Central - New Delhi Rajdhani Express (daily) and 12953/12954 Mumbai Central -Hazrat Nizamuddin August Kranti Rajdhani Express (daily). However, special Rajdhani Express train viz. 09003/09004 Bandra (T)- Hazrat Nizamuddin Special Rajdhani (tri-weekly), reducing the journey time to 13 Hours 55 minutes, in both directions, has been introduced on 16.10.2017 after successful trials.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 59 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: New Trains through Bhopal Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: ALOK SANJAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.59 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2018

## NEW TRAINS THROUGH BHOPAL STATION

†59. SHRI ALOK SANJAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  details  of  the  new  passenger  trains  passing  through  Bhopal railway station during the last four years;

(b)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  most  of  the  passengers  of  Bhopal  and  its surroundings  have  to  perform  journey  through  Itarsi  junction  to  reach Gaya, Patna and Allahabad; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and the time by which this problem will be resolved?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

(a)  25  pairs  of  new  train  services  passing  Bhopal  station  have  been introduced since January, 2014.

(b) No, Madam.  Bhopal is presently connected to Gaya, Patna, Allahabad by direct train services.  These services not only run via Itarsi but also via Bina-Sagour & Bina-Jhansi route.

(c) Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 57 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Israeli Prime Minister’s Visit To India
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.57

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2018

## ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER'S VISIT TO INDIA

57. SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Prime Minister has recently met his Israeli counterpart;
- (b) if   so,   the   details   thereof   and   the   outcome   of   visit   of   Israeli   Prime Minister to India;
- (c) whether the Government has signed any memoranda or has made any deal with Israel;
- (d) if   so,   the   details   thereof   and   whether   this   initiative   would   help   in successfully curbing the growing terrorism in India; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI M. J. AKBAR)

## ANSWER

(a) & (b) Prime Minister met H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, during the latter's visit to India from 14-19 January 2018. During the visit, both sides held extensive discussions on various areas of mutual interest viz.   agriculture,   water,   science   &   technology,   cyber,   energy,   trade   & investment,   defence   &   security   and   air   connectivity.   PM   Netanyahu participated in the 2 nd   India-Israel  CEO  Forum meeting, Business Summit, Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi and visited i-CREATE (International Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology) and held interactions with innovators/Startup CEOs in Ahmedabad. He also visited Centre of Excellence for fruits and vegetables   at   Vadrad,   Gujarat   and   jointly   inaugurated   the   Centre   of Excellence for Date Palms at Bhuj through video link.

(c) to (e) During the visit nine MoUs/ Agreements/ Memorandum/ Letters of intent were signed in the fields of cyber, air transport, film co-production, energy, homeopathy and space. It was agreed in the Joint Statement to hold the next meeting of Joint Working Groups on Homeland and Public Security and accordingly, a meeting was held in New Delhi on 27-28 February, 2018 to strengthen security cooperation between the two countries.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 54 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Supply of Coal to Power Stations
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: K. ASHOK KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.54 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2018

## Supply of Coal to Power Stations

## 54.   SHRI K.ASHOK KUMAR:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has decided to supply coal power stations near mines  through  piped  conveyor  belt  system  in  the  near  future  and  if  so,  the details thereof; and
- (b) whether this move  will check dust pollution caused during coal transportation  by  trucks  to  such  plants  and  freeing  upon  railway  rakes  for supplies to faraway units and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COAL, FINANCE & CORPORATE AFFAIRS (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) & (b): A decision has been taken in the meeting held on 25.01.2018 in the Ministry of Power that all Power Plants located within 20 km from pithead shall construct elevated closed belt conveyor within next 2 years i.e. up to 1 st  April 2020. The conveyor is environmental friendly operation as it  will  check  dust pollution caused during coal transportation by trucks and shall free up railway rake for coal supply to far away power plants.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 53 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Indians Missing in Benin
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: VASANTHI M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.53

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2018

## INDIANS MISSING IN BENIN

53. SHRIMATI VASANTHI M.:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether a ship with 22 crew members of India has gone missing from Benin coast in West Africa;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to trace the missing Indian crew members of the lost ship; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI M. J. AKBAR)

(a) to (d) Yes. Merchant vessel M.T. Marine Express (IMO 9403322) was released on 06 February 2018 after relentless pursuit of the matter by the Indian High Commission in Abuja (Nigeria) in collaboration with the navies of Nigeria, Benin & Ghana. It went missing on 01 February 2018. The ship was released on 06 February 2018 with all 22 Indian crew members safe and sound without any ransom paid.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 51 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Disaster Management Plan in IT Sector
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  51

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 18.07.2018

## DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLAN IN IT SECTOR

## 51.     SHRIMATI DARSHANA VIKRAM JARDOSH:

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

- (a) whether  disaster  management  plan  in  any  disaster  situation  is  in  place  in  IT sector on the lines of the infrastructure sector; and
- (b) if  not,  whether  any  such  suggestion/  proposal  is  under  consideration  of  the Government?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI S.S. AHLUWALIA)

(a):  Yes,  Madam.    An  Information  Technology  Disaster  Recovery  Plan  (IT  DRP)  is developed in conjunction with the business continuity plan (BCP).

National  Informatics  Centre  (NIC)    has  established  National  Data  Centres  (NDCs)  at Delhi,  Hyderabad,  Pune  and  Bhubaneshwar  and  Mini-Data  Centres  (Mini  DCs)  at  all State capitals.    NDCs and Mini DCs of NIC offer resources to various Government users for having their Disaster Management Plan (DMP) or Disaster Recovery System (DRS).

The Government has issued guidelines for setting up of Disaster Recovery Centres (DRC) and Business Continuity Plan (BCP) for IT/ ITeS Special Economic Zones (SEZs), which allows  them  to  set  up  disaster  recovery  centres  outside  their  limits  at  any  part  of  the country.

Besides,  IT  majors  have  disaster  management  plan  in  place  as  per  their  business requirement.

(b):    Does not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 50 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Re-engagement of Retired Employees
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RODMAL NAGAR, OM PRAKASH YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 50 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2018

RE-ENGAGEMENT OF RETIRED EMPLOYEES

†50.   SHRI NAGAR RODMAL: SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether  the  Railways  proposes  to  handover  the  security  of  its more than 150 years old locomotive vintage coaches, steam cranes and station equipments etc., to its retired employees;

(b) if so, the age limit for such employees; and

(c) the details of salary of such employees that they will be drawing after re-engagement?

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

(a)  No, Madam.

(b & c)  Do not arise.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 49 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Pending Infrastructure Project
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: HARISH DWIVEDI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 49

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 18 th  JULY,   2018

## PENDING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT

49.  SHRI HARISH CHANDRA ALIAS HARISH DWIVEDI:

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

- (a) whether slow pace of infrastructure projects is considered to be the main reason of slow down in economic development;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  steps  taken  to  expedite  pending  major  infrastructure projects;
- (d) the details of projects which have not been implemented due to paucity of funds, Ministry-wise; and
- (e) whether any action plan has been formulated to complete the projects on time and to increase its funding?

## 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) and (b) The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation  monitors  on-going  Central  Sector  Infrastructure Projects costing Rs. 150 crore and above on time and cost overruns, on  the  basis  of  information  provided  by  the  project  implementing agencies on the On-line Computerized Monitoring System (OCMS) of this ministry. As on 01.04.2018, a total of 1315 projects were on the monitor of  this  Ministry.  Of  these,  254  are  showing  time  overruns, 345 are showing cost overruns and 98 are showing both time and cost overruns.

During the period from 2013-14 to 2017-18, the number of ongoing Central Sector Infrastructure Projects has increased from 710 to 1315. During the same period, the time overrun has come down from 29.44% to 19.32%.

(c) The ministry maintains the information in respect of on-going Central Sector Infrastructure Projects only.  The major steps taken to  ensure  completion  of  on-going  Central  Sector  Infrastructure Projects  without  time  and  cost  overruns  include:  rigorous  project appraisal; On-line Computerized  Monitoring System  (OCMS)  for better  monitoring;  setting  up  of  Revised  Cost  Committees  in  the Ministries  for  fixation  of  responsibility  for  time  and  cost  overruns; regular review of infrastructure projects by the concerned administrative Ministries; and setting up of Central Sector Projects Coordination Committees (CSPCCs) in the States under the concerned  Chief  Secretaries  for  removal  of  bottlenecks  and  for facilitating the speedy implementation of major projects.

The concerned Ministries prepare their Action Plan

*****

(d) and  (e) as per their budget provisions.
Lok Sabha Question No. 48 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Congested Railway Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: PARASURAMAN K.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.48 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2018

## CONGESTED RAILWAY STATIONS

48. SHRI K. PARASURAMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  initiated  survey  to identify the congested  railway  stations  across  the  country  including  Tamil Nadu;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the number of railway stations which are  catering  more  than  the  capacity  to  handle  passengers  every day;
- (c) whether the Government has received the survey report regarding the  need  to  establish  a  new  railway  station  between  Thanjavur junction and Alakudi Station in view of increasing congestion; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(a): No, Madam.

(b): Does not arise.

(c)  &  (d):  The  proposal  regarding  opening  of  a  new  railway  station  at Redipalayam between Thanjavur junction and Alakkudi railway stations was  examined  but  not  found  feasible  from  engineering  point  of  view. There is also no commercial justification for opening of a railway station within  3  kms  of  Thanjavur  Junction  and  adequate  road  transport facilities are already available at the proposed site.

*****

## ANSWER (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
Lok Sabha Question No. 47 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: MPLAD Fund
Ministry: STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION
Asked by: CHINTAMANI MALVIYA, RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF STATISTICS AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 47 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 18TH JULY , 2018

## MPLAD FUND

## 47. PROF. CHINTAMANI MALVIYA: SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR RAY:

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

- (a)
- whether half the amount of the Member of Parliament Local Area Development Fund is released every six months and next installment is released after providing utilization certificate as a result of which the said fund is not fully utilized, if s0, the details thereof;
- (b)
- whether the Government proposes to provide the entire amount of the said fund on annual basis instead of semi annual;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)
- if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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) Yes Madam. Government of India releases funds in two equal installments of Rs. 2.5 crore each: As per available  information, percentage utilization of funds over release during the last four years (2014-15 to 2017-18) was about 103%.
- (b) to (d) time.
- The release is done based on Guidelines framed from time to
Lok Sabha Question No. 46 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Military and Naval Communication
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: PR. SENTHILNATHAN, V. SATHYABAMA, R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 46 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 th   JULY, 2018

## MILITARY AND NAVAL COMMUNICATION

46. SHRI PR. SENTHIL NATHAN: SHRIMATI V. SATHYA BAMA: SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R.K.:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any strategic plans to utilise an exclusive spectrum bandwidth for military and naval communications;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has any inbuilt protection system against the interception of communications by our Indian army and naval forces;
- (d) if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to take any remedial measures to ensure that no  secret  communications  are  intercepted  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the measures taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) Yes  Madam,  an  exclusive  band  for  Defence  was  approved  by  Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS) and promulgated by Ministry of Communications on 12 th March 2015 and the same is being utilized for military and naval communication.
- (c) & (d)        Yes Madam, all classified communications are being suitably encrypted as per subject classification.
- (e)     Yes Madam, Scientific Analysis Group (SAG) graded security overlay system is already in use to prevent interception of communication systems.

*****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 42 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Illegal Occupation of Wakf Land
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: DHARAMBIR BHALERAM

## 42. SHRI DHARAMBIR:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  total  area  of  Wakf  Board's  land  which  are  illegally  occupied  in  the  country including Haryana;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to free these illegally occupied lands and if so, the details of the concrete steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
- (c) the  total  revenue  of  Wakf  Board  in  the  country  including  that  of  Haryana  and  the details of different schemes being run with the funds?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS (SHRI MUKHTAR ABBAS NAQVI)

(a): As per provisions of section 32 of the Waqf Act 1995 as amended, general superintendence of  all  auqaf  in  a  State  is  vested  with  the  State  Waqf  Board  (SWB)  and  the  Waqf  Board  is empowered to manage the waqf property and take legal action against unauthorized occupation and encroachment of such properties. Further, as per section 54 and 55 of the Waqf Act, SWB may take action for the removal of encroachment from the encroacher. Hence such details are not maintained by the Central Government.

(b):    Major  provisions added in the amended Waqf Act 1995  giving more power to State/UT Waqf Boards to deal with encroachment on waqf properties inter alia include stringent definition of  'encroacher';  mandate  to  State  Governments  to  appoint  Survey  Commissioners  and complete  the  survey  of  waqf  properties  in  a  time  bound  manner;  rigorous  imprisonment  for alienation of waqf properties without prior approval of the State/UT Waqf Boards; alienation of waqf  property  to  be  cognizable  and  non-bailable  offence;  three  member  Tribunals  with extended jurisdiction to deal with  disputes concerning eviction of a tenant. Central Government monitors  compliance  of  various  provisions  of  Waqf  Act  by  State  Governments/  State  Waqf Boards from time to time.

(c):  As per information furnished by the State Waqf Boards to Central Waqf Council, the annual income from statutory contribution collected by SWBs under section 72 of the Waqf Act, 1995 as amended for the Financial Year 2015-16 is Rs.29,78,06,985/-  including Haryana State Waqf Board. Further, the Ministry does not maintain the information of the Schemes being run by the State/UT Waqf Boards in the country.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.42 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2018

## Illegal Occupation of Wakf Land
Lok Sabha Question No. 40 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Illegal Tariff Offers by TSPs
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK, S.P. MUDDAHANUMEGOWDA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 40 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18 th   JULY, 2018

## ILLEGAL TARIFF OFFERS BY TSPs

40. SHRI B.V. NAIK:

SHRI S.P. MUDDAHANUME GOWDA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  many  Telecom  Service  Providers  (TSPs)  are  luring  customers  by resorting  to  predatory  pricing  and  illegal  tariffs  and  restricting  customers  from  shifting from one TSP to another and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has noticed any such illegal offers being resorted to by TSPs and if so, the details thereof and the response of the TRAI thereto; and
- (c) the action taken by the Government against such erring TSPs?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) As  per  the  existing  tariff  framework,  tariff  for  telecommunication  access service  is  under  forbearance  except  for  National  Roaming  and  Rural  Fixed  Line Services. TSPs have flexibility to design their products to suit consumer demand and fix tariffs for these products so as to attract customers. There are a large number of tariff schemes  offered  by  various  competing  TSPs  in  different  service  areas  which  are permitted in tariff forbearance framework.  TRAI does receive complaints from various stakeholders including TSPs regarding tariff being discriminatory, non-transparent, and predatory.    Such  complaints  are  examined  and  action  is  taken  in  accordance  with relevant rules, regulations and orders.

*****************
Lok Sabha Question No. 39 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-18
Subject: Solar Powered Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: SANTOSH AHLAWAT

## 39.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 39 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2018

## SOLAR POWERED TRAINS

- SHRIMATI SANTOSH AHLAWAT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has started any train which runs on Solar Power and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  increase  the number of trains which will run on solar power and if so, the zone-wise details thereof alongwith the time-frame, if any, prepared in this regard;
- (c)
- the running cost of trains using Solar Power; and
- (d) whether the manufacturing cost of solar powered train is cheaper than the electric train and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) No,  Madam.  However,  Indian  Railways  have  provided Solar Panels on rooftop of 19 Narrow Gauge  (Northern Railway)  and  3  Broad  Gauge  non  air-conditioned  coaches  in service (one each by Northern Railway, West Central Railway &  Southern  Railway)  for  use  of  electrical  energy  in  train lighting  system,  on  trial  basis.  Further,  Railways  have  taken decision to provide solar panel on roof top of general coaches of two number of day running intercity trains in Northern and Southern Railway and 50% Narrow Gauge coaches  plying  on Pathankot - Joginder  Nagar   route   in   Kangra  Valley

section  and  Kalka-Shimla  section  of  Northern  Railway  for conducting extended trials for one year in all weather conditions. In addition, Solar Panels have been provided on 06 nos. of Non-AC trailer coaches of Diesel Electric Multiple Unit (DEMU).

(b) to (d) Do not arise.

*****