Lok Sabha Question No. 175 (STARRED), answered on 2019-07-03
Subject: Dedicated Freight Corridors
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 175 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.07.2019

## DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDORS

## *175. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  approved  and  sanctioned  major and capital intensive rail infrastructure projects as part of the year 2022 deadline and if so, the details thereof along with the details of works  completed  in  each  segment  including  the  status  of  such projects in Kerala;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  also  expedited  the  works  of Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the DFC comprises of southern States of India including Kerala, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d)  the reasons, if any, for the delay in completion of DFC; and
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to resolve the issues at all places  particularly  for  the  stretch  in  Uttar  Pradesh  to  meet  the deadline  of  target  including  fixing  of  responsibility  of  officials  for the delay in completion of DFC?

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

## ANSWER (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 175 BY SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH TO BE  ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 03.07.2019 REGARDING DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDORS

( a): Yes, Sir.  Augmentation of capacity of rail infrastructure is a top priority  for  the  Government.    A  large  number  of  New  Line,  Gauge Conversion, Doubling, Railway Electrification projects including two dedicated freight corridors have been sanctioned.  As on date, 491 Railway projects including 189 New Lines, 55 Gauge Conversion and 247 Doubling Projects are in different stages of execution/ planning/sanction.    The  total  length  of  these  projects  is  48860.64 kms., costing ₹ 6.476 lakh crores. In addition, 70 railway electrification projects comprising 31,760  kms length costing ₹ 34,167  crores  have  also  been  sanctioned.    Completion  of  many projects/programmes like Railway Electrification, Gauge Conversion of  identified  viable  lines,    Eastern  &  Western  dedicated  freight corridors have been targeted by/before the year 2022.

09 projects costing ₹ 8,317 crores for 458 kms length falling fully/partly  in  Kerala  state  are  under  different  stages  of  planning/ approval/execution, which include 02 new line projects covering a length  of  151  kms  at  a  cost  of ₹ 3,293  crores  and  07  doubling projects covering a length of 307 kms at a cost of ₹ 5,024 crores. Till March, 2019, commissioning of 8kms length has been achieved with  expenditure  of ₹ 987.6  crores.    04  Railway  Electrification projects (190 Route Kilometers) worth ₹ 178 crores have also been sanctioned in Kerala.

(b): Yes, Sir.  All contracts worth approximately ₹ 32,000 crores for western DFC and all contracts worth approximately ₹ 22,000 crores for eastern DFC (except for 3 contracts worth approximately ₹ 1500 crores for Systems) have already been awarded.  Regular monitoring of  progress  of  the  works  and  constant  coordination/follow-up  with all  stakeholders  including  State  Governments  and  Zonal  Railways have been done to expedite the pace of progress.

(c): No, Sir.  Presently only two Dedicated Freight Corridors, namely Eastern and Western Freight Corridors have been sanctioned by the

Government.

(d)  &  (e)  :    Steps    taken    to    fast-track    the  execution  of    DFC projects  in line with the target include :-

- (i) Regular follow-up with State Governments to address the  concerns  of  the  project  affected  persons  and expedite the acquisition of land;
- (ii) Regular  follow-up  and  coordination  with  all  stake holders for construction of Rail Over Bridges (ROBs) and  Rail  Under  Bridges  (RUBs)  in  place  of  level crossings and for shifting/removal of utilities; and
- (iii) Regular  monitoring  of  the  works  of  the  contractors and resolution of emergent issues for project execution.

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