Lok Sabha Question No. 555 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-20
Subject: Ongoing/Pending Railway Projects in Kerala
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.555 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.07.2022

## ONGOING/PENDING RAILWAY PROJECTS IN KERALA

555.  DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  ongoing  and  pending  railway  projects  in  the state of Kerala especially in Palakkad Division; project/area-wise;
- (b) the details of targets fixed during the current year for development of new lines/gauge conversion/ doubling projects in Kerala;
- (c) the  details  of  the  funds  allocated  for  the  development  of  railway projects in Kerala in the  budget  during  2020-21,  2021-22  and 2022-23;
- (d) the  details  of  the  steps  taken  by  the  Railways  to  speed  up  these pending railway projects in Kerala; and
- (e) the time schedule by which these projects are likely to be completed?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (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 UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  555  BY  DR.  M.P.  ABDUSSAMAD  SAMADANI  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.07.2022 REGARDING ONGOING/PENDING RAILWAY PROJECTS IN KERALA

(a)  to  (e):  Railway  projects  are  sanctioned  and  taken  up  Zonal  Railwaywise and not State-wise/division-wise as the Railway's projects may span across various State boundaries/division. However, as on 01.04.2022, total 8 projects (02 new lines and 06 doubling) of total length 435 Km, costing ` 9,360 crore, falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala (including Palakkad division)  are  in  different  stages  of  planning/sanctioning/execution,  out  of which 8 Km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of ` 2,462 crore has been incurred upto March, 2022. These include:-

-  02 new line projects of total length 146 Km, costing ` 2,953 crore. An expenditure of ` 303 crore has been incurred upto March, 2022.
-  6 doubling projects of total length 289 Km, costing ` 6,407 crore, out  of  which  8  Km  length  has  been  commissioned  and  an expenditure of ` 2,159Cr. has been incurred upto March, 2022.

Railway  Projects  in  Kerala  are  covered  by  Southern  Railway  (SR). Railway Zone-wise 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.

Since 2014, there has been substantial increase in Budget allocation and  commensurate  commissioning  of  projects.  Average  annual  Budget allocation for Infrastructure projects and Safety works, falling fully/ partly in State of Kerala, during 2014-19 has been enhanced to ` 950 crore  per year  from ` 372 crore  per  year  during  2009-14,  which  is  155% more than average annual budget allocation during 2009-14.  These allocation have  been  increased  to ` 667  crore  in  financial  year  2019-20  (79%  more than average annual budget allocation of 2009-14), ` 688 crore in financial year 2020-21 (85% more than average annual budget allocation of 2009-14) and ` 1,866 crore in financial year 2021-22 (402% more than average annual budget allocation of 2009-14). For financial year 2022-23, budget outlay of ` 1,085 crore has been provided for these works, which is 192% more than average annual budget outlay of 2009-14.

During 2014-22, 107 km sections (29 km of Gauge conversion and 78 km of Doubling projects) falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala have been commissioned at an average rate 13.38 km per year, which is 26.23% more than average commissioning during 2009-14 (10.60 km/year).

Various  steps  being  taken  by  the  Government  for  effective  and speedy implementation of rail projects include (i) setting up of Gati Shakit Directorate  in  Ministry  of  Railways  &  Gati  Shakti  Units  in  divisions  (ii) prioritisation of projects  (iii)  substantial increase in allocation of funds on priority projects (iv) delegation of powers at field level (v) close monitoring of  progress  of  project  at  various  levels,  and  (vi)  regular  follow  up  with State  Governments   and   concerned   authorities   for   expeditious   land ...3/-

acquisition, forestry and Wildlife clearances and for resolving other issues pertaining to projects.

The completion of any Railway project(s) depends on various factors like  deposition  of  cost  share  by  cost  sharing  authority  in  cost  sharing project(s), quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by officials  of  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(s) site, number  of  working  months  in  a  year  for  particular  project  site  due  to climatic conditions etc.  All these factors affect the completion time of the project(s).  As  such,  confirmed  completion  time  of  project(s)  cannot  be ascertained  at  this  stage.  Nevertheless,  every  effort  is  being  made  to execute the project(s) expeditiously.

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