Lok Sabha Question No. 1569 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-28
Subject: Pending Rail Routes in Maharashtra
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Bhavana Gawali (Patil)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1569 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2021

## PENDING RAIL ROUTES IN MAHARASHTRA

†1569.  SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the total number of rail routes announced by the Government during the last 15 years specially in  Maharashtra;
- (b) the number of rail routes for which work has been completed;
- (c) the  number  of  rail  routes  for  which  work  is  pending  along  with  the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether inadequate budgetary allocation is causing hurdles;
- (e) whether the Government has released the required funds by increasing the budget for the early completion of these routes, if so, the details thereof;
- (f) the steps taken by the Government for demarcation of the proposed land  of  these  projects  and  the  details  of  amount  of  funds  allocated under the project;
- (g) whether the funds are adequate and funds have been released, if so, the details thereof;
- (h) whether the funds are inadequate for the demarcation land acquisition; and
- (i) the time by when the Government is likely to release the required/adequate funds?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (i) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1569 BY SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 28.07.2021 REGARDING PENDING RAIL ROUTES IN MAHARASHTRA

(a):    The  Railway  projects  are  sanctioned  Zonal  Railway-wise  and  not State/UT-wise as the Indian Railways' network spans across various State boundaries. During the last 15 years i.e. 2005-06 onwards, a total of 147 New Line projects of 13,799 km length costing ` 2,81,972 crore have been included  in  Budget  subject  to  requisite  approvals.  Out  of  these,  14  New Line  projects  of  a  total  length  of  1692  km  costing ` 43,297  crore  falling fully/partly in the state of Maharashtra have been included in the budget.

(b):  During 2009-14, 7,599 km length (1727 km New Line, 3997 km Gauge Conversion  and  1875  km  Doubling)  was  commissioned  at  an  average  of 1520 km/year. During 2014-19, 13,124 km length (3035 km New Line, 3,993 km  Gauge  Conversion  and  6,096  km  Doubling)  has  been  commissioned across the Indian Railways'  network which  is 73%  more  than  the commissioning during 2009-14 (7,599 km). During 2019-20, 2,226 km length (360 km New Line, 408 km Gauge Conversion and 1458 km Doubling) has been commissioned which is 46% more than average annual commissioning during 2009-14 (1,520 km/year). During 2020-21, 2,370 km length  (286  km  New  Line,  470  km  Gauge  Conversion  and  1614  km Doubling) has been commissioned which is 56% more than average annual commissioning during 2009-14 (1,520 km/year).

(c):    As  on  01.04.2021  across  Indian  Railways,  484  Railway  projects  of 51,165 km length, costing approx. ` 7.53 lakh crore are in different stages of  planning/sanction/execution,  out  of  which  10,638  km  length  has  been commissioned and an expenditure of ` 2.14  lakh  crore  has  been  incurred upto March, 2021.

As far as the  State  of  Maharashtra  is  concerned, 35  Projects  (16  New

Line, 2 Gauge Conversion and 17 Doubling projects) costing ` 91,137 crore for  6,142  km  length  falling  fully/partly  in  Maharashtra  are  under  different stages  of  planning/  approval/execution,  out  of  which  906  km  length  has been commissioned and an expenditure of ` 18,008 crore has been incurred upto March, 2021.

The completion of any Railway project(s) depends on various factors like quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by officials of forest department, deposition of cost share by State Government in cost sharing projects, priority of projects, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical  conditions  of  area,  law  and  order  situation  in  the  area  of project(s) site, number of working months in a year for particular project site  due  to  climatic  conditions  etc.  and  all  these  factors  affect  the completion  time  of  the  project(s),  which  is  finally  worked  out  at  the completion stage. However,  Railways  is making  all the efforts for expeditious completion of projects.

(d):    No,  Sir.  Budget  outlay  has  been  provided  to  the  projects  in  a rationalized  manner  and  budget  has  been  allotted  to  the  projects  which are in advance stage of completion, priority projects, important New Line &  National  projects,  executable  &  important  Gauge  conversion  projects and  the  projects  which  are  important  from  the  throughput  enhancement considerations. Thus, focused attention is given in fund allotment, rather than thinly spreading the resources without commensurate results.

- (e):   Yes, Sir. Average annual Budget allocation in the Indian Railways for New  Line,  Gauge  Conversion  and  Doubling  works  during  2014-19  has increased  to ` 26,026  crore  per  year  from ` 11,527  crore  per  year  during 2009-14, which is 126% more than average annual  budget outlay  of  2009-14. ..P/3

The Annual budget allocation for these projects for Financial Year 2020-21 was ` 43,626 crore which is 278% more than average annual budget outlay of  2009-14.  For  Financial  year  2021-22,  highest-ever  budget  outlay  of ` 45,465 crore has been provided for these works, which is 294% more with respect to average annual budget outlay of 2009-14.

Similarly, Average Annual Budget allocation for Infrastructure and safety works, falling fully/ partly in State of Maharashtra, during 2014-19 has been enhanced to ` 4,801 crore per year from ` 1,171 crore per year during 200914, which is 310% more than average annual budget outlay of 2009-14 and budget outlay of ` 6,700 crore was provided for these projects for financial year  2020-21  which  is  472%  more  than  average  annual  budget  outlay  of 2009-14.    For  financial  year  2021-22,  budget  outlay  of ` 7,277  crore  has been  provided  for  these  works,  which  is  521%  more  with  respect  to average annual budget outlay of 2009-14.

Details  of  all  ongoing  Railway  projects  including  cost,  expenditure  and outlay are made 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)  >Rail Budget/Pink Book (Year)> Railway wise Works Machinery and Rolling Stock Programme.

(f):    After  the  sanction  of  the  project,  detailed  field  survey  is  carried  out and land acquisition proposals are prepared and submitted to respective State Governments for processing the acquisition of land.

(g):   Yes, Sir.

(h):    No,  Sir.  Adequate  fund has been provided for acquisition of land for priority projects.

(i):    Does not arise.

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