Lok Sabha Question No. 4714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-24
Subject: New Railway Projects in Karnataka
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shobha Karandlaje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4714 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2021

New Railway Projects in Karnataka

## 4714.  KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Bangalore  Suburban  Railway  Project  has  been allocated  only  a  paltry  sum  of  Rs.  1  crore  out  of  this  year's Budgetary Allocation for Railway Projects across the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  some  important  new  line  projects  of  Karnataka  have come  to an unprecedented standstill due to allocation of insufficient funds, thereby delaying its completion viz., Bagalkot Kudachi,  Gadag-Wadi,  Rayadurga-Tumkur,  Tumkur-ChitradurgaDavangere and Shimoga-Shikaripura-Ranebennur;
- if so, the funds allocated and utilised during the last five years for
- (c) the above projects;
- (d)
- the expected date of completion and operationalization; and
- the  progress  of  ongoing  electrification  works  between  kadur  -

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) :  A  sum of ₹ 1  Crore has been earmarked by Railway Board for Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project (BSRP) during the year 2020-21 and the same has been indicated in the Pink Book of South Western
- (e) Chikmagalur?

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Railway. However, during the year 2021-22, Budget grant of ₹ 800 Cr. has  been  kept  for  equity  infusion  into  Joint  Venture  with  State Governments. Budgetary requirement of Bangalore Suburban Railway Project will be released from it, based on requirement.

(b) to (d): Funds are allotted project- wise on yearly basis, on the basis of  progress of land acquisition, forestry clearance, physical progress of work, importance of work, last mile connectivity, demands of Zonal Railways and over all availability of funds.

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

Average  annual  Budget  allocation  for  Infrastructure  &  safety  works, falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of  Karnataka,  during  2014-19  has increased to ₹ 2,702  crore,  from ₹ 835  crore  (during  2009-14).  Thus, the average annual budget allocation for 2014-19 is 224% more than average  annual  Budget  allocation  during  2009-14.  Total  proposed Budget Estimate (BE) outlay for Infrastructure & safety works, falling, fully/partly  in  the  State  of  Karnataka,  in  2021-22  is ₹ 3,897  crore, which is 367% more than average annual Budget outlay of 2009-14.

During  2014-19,  735  Km  length  of  (253  Km  new  line  and  482  Km doubling  projects)  falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of  Karnataka  has been commissioned which is 30% more than the commissioned during 2009-14 (565 Km). During 2019-20, 172 Km length of Doubling has been commissioned which is 52% more than average commissioned during 2009-14 (113 Km/year).

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Completion of Railway project(s) depends on various factors like quick land  acquisition  by  State  Government,  forestry  clearance  by  forest department  shifting  of  infringing  utilities,  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, etc.  All these factors affect the completion time. As such, confirmed time frame for completion of the project(s) can not be ascertained at this  State.  Every  effort  is  being  made  to  execute  the  project(s) expeditiously and early commissioning.

(e)  Railway electrification of Kadur-Chikmagalur section is at tender stage.

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