Lok Sabha Question No. 2859 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-03-11
Subject: Construction Work of Talcher-BimlagarhRailway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Jual Oram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2859 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.03.2020

## CONSTRUCTION WORK OF TALCHER-BIMLAGARH RAILWAY LINE

2859. SHRI JUAL ORAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  estimated  cost  of  154  km  Talcher-Bimlagarh  railway  line  in Odisha and the time by which it is likely to be completed;
- (b)  the  funds  sanctioned  for  the  said  project  so  far  during  the  last three years, year-wise;
- (c)  the steps taken to expedite the said construction work; and
- (d)  the progress made so far in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(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. 2859 BY SHRI JUAL ORAM  TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 11.03.2020 REGARDING CONSTRUCTION WORK OF TALCHER-BIMLAGARH RAILWAY LINE

(a) to (d):  Railway has taken up the work of Talcher-Bimlagarh (150 km) New Line project.  The estimated cost of the project is ` 1928 crore. So far,  an  expenditure  of ` 788.63  crore  has  been  incurred  upto  February, 2020.  Budget Estimate (BE) outlay of ` 150 crore has been provided in the Budget 2019-20.

So  far,  20  km  long  Talcher-Sunakhani  section  of  the  project  has  been completed.   Further  work  has  been  taken  up  in  around  23.5  km  length from Sunakhani station,  km 20.00 to km 43.50.

Further  land  in  remaining  sections  is  not  available  and  Railway  has approached State Government of Odisha from time to time to expedite early handing over of remaining 1621 acre land.

BUDGET ALLOCATION (FOR THE PROJECTS FALLING FULLY/PARTLY IN THE STATE OF ODISHA):

Average annual Budget allocation for the projects, falling  fully/partly  in the  State  of  Odisha  for  Infrastructure  projects  &  safety  works  during 2014-19 has increased to ` 4,126 crore per year from ` 838 crore per year during 2009-14. Thus, the average annual budget allocation during 201419 is 392% more than average annual budget allocation during 2009-14.

Total  allocation  of  Budget  for  Infrastructure  projects  &  safety  works, falling fully/partly in State of Odisha, in 2019-20 is ` 4,568 crore,  which is 445% more than average annual budget allocation during  2009-14, ( ` 838 crore).

## COMMISSIONING OF PROJECTS (FALLING FULLY/PARTLY IN THE STATE OF ODISHA):

During 2009-14, 267 km (56 km of New line, 83 km of Gauge conversion and  128  km  of  Doubling  projects),  falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of Odisha, have been commissioned at an average rate of 53 km per year.

During  2014-19,  588  km  (136  km  of  New  line  and  452  km  of  Doubling projects), falling fully/partly in the State of Odisha, have been commissioned  at  an  average  rate  of  118  km  per  year,  which  is  120% more than commissioning achieved during 2009-14.

The completion of the project depends on various factors like quick land acquisition  by  State  Government, forest  clearance by officials of  forest department,  shifting  of  infringing  utilities  (both  underground  and  over ground),  statutory  clearances  from  various  authorities,  geological  and topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area of project  site,  number  of  working  months  in  a  year  for  particular  project site  due  to  climatic  conditions,  cooperation  and  zeal  of  the  State Government  for  early  completion  of  project,  encountering  unforeseen conditions  like  earthquake,  flooding,  excessive  rains,  strikes  of  labour, orders of Hon'ble Courts, situation and conditions of working agencies/contractors etc.  All these factors affect the completion time of the project, which is finely worked out at the completion stage. As such, firm completion time of the project can not be fixed at this stage.

The  project-wise  detail including cost,  expenditure  and  outlay  are available in public domain on Indian Railways' website i.e. www.indianrailways.gov.in >Ministry of Railways >Railway Board >About Indian Railways >Railway Board Directorates >Finance (Budget)>Railwaywise  Works  Machinery  &  Rolling  Stock  Programme  >  Regular  Budget (year).

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