Lok Sabha Question No. 60 (STARRED), answered on 2019-11-20
Subject: Tejas Express
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sanjay Sadashivrao Mandlik, Thalikkottai Rajuthevar Baalu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 60

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.11.2019

## TEJAS EXPRESS

- *60. SHRI SANJAY SADASHIV RAO MANDLIK: SHRI T.R. BAALU:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to provide compensation for  delay  to  the  passengers  of  Tejas  Express  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether  similar  compensation  for  delayed  running  of  Shatabdi, Rajdhani and other super fast trains will also be paid, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has any proposal to provide complimentary travel insurance to each passenger of Tejas Express to attract more passengers and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether it  is  true  that  Tejas  Express  is  the  first  train  the  IRCTC would fully run as part of a plan to privatise the operations of trains to increase revenue and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  Government  is  facing  any  stiff  resistance  from  the employees/ employees union about privatization of passenger trains, if so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  response  of  the  Government  thereto; and
- (f) whether the Government has any proposal to add some more trains to the category of Tejas Express and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF  STARRED QUESTION NO. 60 BY SHRI SANJAY SADASHIV RAO MANDLIK AND SHRI T.R. BAALU TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.11.2019 REGARDING TEJAS EXPRESS

- (a) Under  a  pilot  project,  Indian  Railways  have  authorized  Indian  Railway Catering  and  Tourism  Corporation  (IRCTC)  to  operate  2(two)  Tejas  Train services on Lucknow-New Delhi and Ahmedabad-Mumbai sectors. The Lucknow-New Delhi Tejas has commenced service on 04.10.2019. IRCTC has notified  compensation  for  delay  to  passengers  of  New  Delhi-Lucknow  Tejas Express as follows:-

Delay of more than 1 hours -₹ 100

Delay of more than 2 hours -₹ 250

- (b) No,  Sir.  However,  for  late  running  of  Shatabdi,  Rajdhani  and  other  super fast  trains  by  more  than  3  hours,  fare  is  refunded  to  the  passengers  if  they have not undertaken the journey, in accordance with the refund rules.
- (c) IRCTC  provides  complimentary  travel  insurance  of  upto ₹ 25  Lakhs  to passengers of the Tejas Express operated between New Delhi and Lucknow.
- (d) and  (e)    Under  the  approved  pilot  project  for  operation  of  2(two)  Tejas Class  Train  services  on  the  Lucknow-New  Delhi  and  Ahmedabad-Mumbai sectors, IRCTC pays applicable haulage charge and charges for custody of the rolling stock, and is authorized to raise fare and non-fare revenues. There have been a few representations from the two recognised Railway Staff Federations alongwith  their  affiliated  Trade  Unions  and  other  Trade  Unions  in  Zonal Railways about privatization of passenger trains. The details of privatised train operations have not been finalised.
- (f) There is no proposal to add more trains to the category of Tejas Trains, at present.

*****