opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1185 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-09
Subject: Credit needs of MSMEs
Ministry: MICRO,SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: K. Subbarayan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1185 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2023

## CREDIT NEEDS OF MSMEs

## 1185.          SHRI SUBBARAYAN  K.:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) which is about 63.8 million in the country are facing serious credit needs to maintain their uninterrupted operational activities; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and steps being taken to meet the credit needs of MSMEs?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SHRI BHANU PRATAP SINGH VERMA)

- (a) to (b): Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the country are being supported by way of various credit schemes. Some of the major schemes are as under:
- (i) Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS): Rs. 5 lakh crore Emergency Credit Line  Guarantee  Scheme  (ECLGS),  for  businesses,  including  MSMEs  was  announced  as  a  part  of Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Package with initial  guarantee coverage of Rs. 3  lakh crore on 13.05.2020 with validity of scheme up to 30.11.2020. Subsequently, this was extended with infusion of Rs. 1.5 lakh crore on 29.09.2021 with validity of scheme up to 31.03.2022 and with infusion of Rs. 50,000 crore on 01.02.2022 with validity of scheme up to 31.03.2023. 1.19 crore number of guarantees have been issued to businesses,  including MSMEs, amounting to Rs. 3.60 lakh Crore. Out of the total, 1.13 crore guarantees amounting to Rs. 2.38 lakh crore have been provided to MSMEs.
- (ii) Self Reliant India (SRI) Fund: Rs. 50,000 crore equity infusion through Self Reliant India Fund. This  scheme has  a  provision  of  Rs.10,000  Crore  from  Government  of  India  and  Rs.40,000 Crore leverage through Private Equity / Venture Capital funds. This initiative is aimed at providing growth capital to the deserving and eligible units of MSME sector. As on 31.12.2022, 34 Daughter Funds have been empanelled with the special purpose vehicle, NSIC Venture Capital Fund Limited and by way of investing of Rs. 2,790 Cr, 140 MSMEs have been assisted.
- (iii) Credit Guarantee Scheme (CGS): Ministry of MSME is implementing Credit Guarantee Scheme for  Micro  &  Small  Enterprises  through  Credit  Guarantee  Fund  Trust  for  Micro  &  Small Enterprises  (CGTMSE),  under  this  scheme  upto  85%  guarantee  coverage  is  extended  for  credit facility  upto  Rs.  200  lakh.  Budget  2023-24  has  announced  the  infusion  of  Rs.9,000  crore  in  the corpus of CGTMSE  to enable an additional credit of Rs. 2 lakh crore with reduced cost of the credit.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1181 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-09
Subject: Usage of Solar Trees
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Sanjay(Kaka) Ramchandra Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1181

ANSWERED ON 09.02.2023

## USAGE OF SOLAR TREES

1181. SHRI SANJAY KAKA PATIL

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken/proposed to be taken any steps to promote the usage of solar trees across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether the Government has provided incentives to the solar tree manufacturers for manufacturing cheaper solar trees; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a)to(d)  The  Ministry  of  New  and  Renewable  Energy  (MNRE)  is  implementing  the 'Installation  of  grid-connected  solar  project  &  various  off-grid  applications  for  100% Solarization of Konark Sun Temple & Konark Town' in the state of Odisha. Under this project, MNRE has supported the installation of 50 numbers of Solar Trees with 100% CFA (Central Finance Assistance).

The  MNRE  has  taken  the  following  initiatives  to  encourage  domestic  solar  module manufacturing, which could be used in solar tree manufacturing also:

- (i) Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules
- (ii) Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) in MNRE schemes, namely CPSU Scheme Phase-
- II, PM-KUSUM Component B and Grid-connected Rooftop Solar Programme Phase-II.
- (iii) Preference to 'Make in India' in Public Procurement
- (iv) Imposition of Basic Customs Duty on import of solar PV cells & modules
- (v) Discontinuation of Customs Duty Concessions

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1180 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-09
Subject: CGD Network in West Bengal
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Jayanta Kumar Roy

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1180 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 th  February, 2023 CGD Network in West Bengal

1180. DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

## पेोलयम और ाक ृतक गैस मंी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  cities  of  West  Bengal  which  have  been  selected  for  the  City  Gas Distribution (CGD);
- (b) the details of the areas in those cities where the distribution of gas has been started through pipes and the areas where the work related to infrastructural development is still in progress;
- (c) whether the government is formulating any plan for CGD in other cities of West Bengal and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has any proposal to provide Piped Natural Gas (PNG) connections to all under City Gas Distribution in Jalpaiguri Parliamentary Constituency and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether any agency has been deployed for the implementation of this scheme and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## पेोलयम और ाक ृतक गैस मंालय म रायमंी ( ी रामेवर तेल )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to (e) Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the authority to grant authorization  to  the  entities  for  development  of  City  Gas  Distribution  (CGD)  network  in Geographical Areas (GAs) as per PNGRB Act, 2006. After completion of 11 A CGD Bidding round,  295  Geographical  Areas  (GAs)  cover  about  98%  of  the  population  and  88%  of  total geographical  area  of  the  Country  spread  over  around  630  districts  in  28  states/UTs  including West Bengal. PNGRB has authorised 10 GAs in the state of West Bengal including Jalpaiguri Parliamentary Constituency which falls under Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Uttar Dinajpur district GA. Authorized entities will lay, build, operate and expand city gas distribution network as per the terms and conditions of the authorization made by PNGRB.

Indian-Oil  Adani  Gas  Private  Limited,  Bengal  Gas  Company  Limited,  Hindustan Petroleum  Corporation  Limited  (HPCL),  Bharat  Petroleum  Corporation  Limited  (BPCL)  and Indian  Oil  Corporation  Limited  (IOCL)  have  been  authorized  by  PNGRB  for  development  of City Gas Distribution (CGD) Networks to provide PNG domestic connections and install CNG stations as per their Minimum Work Plan (MWP), the timeline determined by PNGRB in their respective GAs in the state of West Bengal and their techno-commercial feasibility.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1178 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-09
Subject: Air Connectivity in Bundelkhand
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Pushpendra Singh Chandel, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1178 (To be answered on the 9 th  February 2023)

## AIR CONNECTIVITY IN BUNDELKHAND

## 1178. SHRI KUNWAR PUSHPENDRA SINGH CHANDEL SHRIMATI MALA RAJYA LAXMI SHAH

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

(a) to (d): The Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on 21-10-2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity and making air travel affordable for the common man. UDAN is a market driven scheme. Interested airlines based on their assessment of demand on particular routes submit their proposals at the time of bidding under UDAN.

So far, 461 routes have been operationalised and 73 airports developed including 2 Water Aerodrome & 9 Heliports. Over 113.80 lakhs people have availed the benefit of the UDAN scheme since its inception. The scheme is applicable across  the country including Bundelkhand and Uttarakhand region. Chitrakoot, Datia, Lalitpur, Sagar, Jhansi & Damoh cities of Bundelkhand region are presently available in UDAN Scheme Document. If any bid is received for connecting the airports of Bundelkhand, the same shall be considered as per the provisions of Scheme Document.

Uttarakhand is included in the UDAN Scheme Document as a Priority Area. Under the scheme, UDAN flights have commenced from Pantnagar, Pithoragarh, Sahastradhara, Chinyalisaur, Gaucher, New Tehri, Haldwani, Almora and Srinagar.

- *****

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government proposes to make regional air travel more comfortable and expand it;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to expand air travel services to Bundelkhand and Uttarakhand region; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?
Lok Sabha Question No. 1172 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-09
Subject: Proposals under Setu Bharatam
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shriniwas Dadasaheb Patil

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  received  any  proposals  under  Setu Bharatam  for  construction  of  Road  Over  Bridge  (ROB)/Road  Under Bridge (RUB) on Pune-Miraj Railway line in Satara district of Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the details of ROBs, RUBs and Railway Under Passes that have been sanctioned under Setu Bharatam in the said district?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)    to    (c)    A  proposal  has  been  received  from  Maharashtra  Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (MRIDCL) for construction of one RoB under Setu Bharatam on LC No. 47 on Lonand-Karad Section of NH-965D in Satara District in the State of Maharashtra. The proposal is under examination considering all aspects including whether to take up the project on standalone basis or part of improvement/upgradation project of the said section of NH-965D for which DPR is in progress.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1172

ANSWERED ON 09 th   February, 2023

## PROPOSALS UNDER SETU BHARATAM

## 1172. SHRI SHRINIWAS PATIL:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 1162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-09
Subject: Development of Cluster Township along Expressways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Debasree Chaudhuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1162 ANSWERED ON 09 TH  FEBRUARY, 2023

## DEVELOPMENT OF CLUSTER TOWNSHIP ALONG EXPRESSWAYS

1162. MS. DEBASREE CHAUDHURI:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to introduce a policy to develop cluster township along expressways in view of increasing number of expressways in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the expressways identified by the  Government  for  setting  up  various  commercial  industries  and offices; and
- (c) if so, the timeline fixed for development of such clusters?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) No, Sir.
- (b) & (c) Question does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1160 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-09
Subject: Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Bhola Singh, Raja Amareshwara Naik, Sukanta Majumdar, Jayanta Kumar Roy, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Vinod Kumar Sonkar, Rajveer (Raju Bhaiya) Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1160 ANSWERED ON 09.02.2023

## ENERGY CONSERVATION (AMENDMENT) BILL

## 1160.  SHRI BHOLA SINGH:

DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

SHRI VINOD KUMAR SONKAR:

DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

SHRI RAJA AMARESHWARA NAIK:

SHRIMATI SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO:

SHRI RAJVEER SINGH (RAJUBHAIYA):

Will the Minister of POWER

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to have India's own carbon trading market like other countries and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to change in the legislation through the Energy Conservation  (Amendment) Bill,  2022  for  implementing  the  carbon  trading  scheme  that will subsume all such present tradeable certificates;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to begin with a voluntary market and gradual shift to 'cap and trade', where industries are given emission targets like in EU emission trading system markets and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  India  is  the  largest  exporter  of  carbon  credits  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (f) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to establish a carbon trading market to promote  finance avenues for energy transition projects and emission reduction?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

- (a) to (d) : The Parliament has passed the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, 2022 and the same has come into effect from 1 st  January, 2023. This includes  provisions to 'Specify the carbon credit trading scheme'.  Design of carbon trading scheme is to be prescribed through Rules after consideration of all relevant aspects, including transition of existing schemes of tradable certificates to single national framework.  Any registered entity, in  accordance with these Rules, shall be entitled to purchase or sell the carbon credit certificate.
- (e) & (f) : Presently,  Ministry  of  Power/  Bureau  of  Energy  Efficiency  (BEE)  does  not maintain any data on export of carbon credits. Further, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Government of India has notified 'National Designated Authority for the Implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement (NDAIAPA)' which shall exercise and  perform  functions  that  inter-alia include to  receive  projects or activities for evaluation and approval by the host Party as per the guidelines and general criteria laid down in the relevant rules and modalities and procedures pertaining to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement.

**********
Lok Sabha Question No. 99 (STARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Redevelopment of Railway Stations in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Balashowry Vallabbhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 99 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2023

## REDEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAY STATIONS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

*99.  SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU: SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  three  railway  stations  in  Andhra  Pradesh  viz.  Vizag, Tirupati and Nellore have been identified for redevelopment, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether any techno-economic feasibility studies have been undertaken for these railway stations, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of statutory clearances required for the above stations; and
- (d)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Railways  to  get  such  clearances  so  far,
- stations-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 99 BY SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU  AND SHRI BALASHOWRY  VALLABHANENI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 08.02.2023 REGARDING REDEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAY STATIONS IN ANDHRA PRADESH (a)  to  (d):  Yes  Sir,  Vizag  (Visakhapatnam),  Tirupati  and  Nellore Railway Stations in the state of Andhra Pradesh have been identified for  redevelopment.  Techno-economic  feasibility  studies  have  been taken  up  for  these  projects  and  Detailed  Project  Reports  have  been prepared. The above projects have been planned for execution in Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) mode. The detailed designs  and  execution  methodology  under  the  EPC  contracts  are prepared by the contractor and based upon the repercussions of the planning and designs, the appropriate clearances are processed which is a continuous process.

These three stations are progressing well.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 98 (STARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Mega Textile Parks
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Nusrat Jahan Ruhi

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *98 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2023

## MEGA TEXTILE PARKS

*98. MS. NUSSRAT JAHAN:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a) the details of the number of Mega Textile Parks considered to be set up in the country;
- (b) whether the Government has considered to set up one Mega Textile Park in West Bengal;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether it will be beneficial for farmers and the economy and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री पीयूष गोयल )

## MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a) to (d):A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *98 DUE FOR ANSWER ON 08.02.2023 RAISED BY MS. NUSSRAT JAHAN REGARDING MEGA TEXTILE PARKS.

(a) to (d): The Government has approved setting up of 7 (Seven) PM Mega Integrated Textile Region and  Apparel  (PM  MITRA)  Parks  in  Greenfield/Brownfield  sites  with  world  class  infrastructure including plug and play facility.  All State Governments were requested to send proposals for setting up PM MITRA Parks, to the Ministry of Textiles.  However, no proposal from the state of West Bengal under the Scheme has been received. The scheme will help India in attracting investments, boosting employment generation and position itself strongly in the global textile market. It is also envisaged that over 1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect jobs per Mega Park will be created.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 96 (STARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Startups in Space Technology based Business
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Kanimozhi Karunanidhi

- *96.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 96

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2023 STARTUPS IN SPACE TECHNOLOGY BASED BUSINESSES

- SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether  the  Government  has  accepted  the  involvement  of private  sector  companies  and  startups  in  space  technology based businesses;
- (b) if  so,  the details of current policies and schemes to support these businesses;
- (c) the  details  of  existing  public  and  private  market  share  in space tech based markets in the country; and
- (d) the details of total imports and exports carried out in space tech based industry in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

****

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

****

STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY TO STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  96  REGARDING  'STARTUPS  IN  SPACE TECHNOLOGY BASED BUSINESSES' ASKED BY SHRIMATI KANIMOZHI  KARUNANIDHI  FOR  ANSWERING  ON  WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 08, 2023.

- (a)
- Yes, Sir
- (b) As  per  the  Gazette  notification  dated  02.10.2021,  IN-SPACe has been mandated to promote, enable, authorize and supervise  the  Non-Governmental  entities  in  Space  sector  in India. IN-SPACe has started authorizing Indian Space companies  for  utilization  of  ISRO  facilities  for  the  private companies  /  start-ups,  installation  of  facilities  within  ISRO campuses,  Launch  of  Satellites  and  launch  vehicles,  and Mentorship support. Till date, IN-SPACe has received applications from 135 NGEs in the Space Sector. A  new  Seed  fund  scheme  is  approved  by  IN-SPACe  board  to provide  initial  financial  assistance  to  Indian  space  start-ups. Further  a  differential  pricing  policy  has  been  evolved  by  INSPACe.

Revised  FDI  policy  in  space  sector  to  facilitate  overseas investment  in  NGEs  and  a  National  Space  Policy  are  in  the process of final approval of the Government.

- (c) With  the  announcement  of  Space  Sector  reforms,  private players  have  started  contributing  to  the  Space  economy  and their share is increasing.

(d) During  financial  year  2021-22,  items  worth  Rs.  2,114.00  Cr (approx.) were imported for executing various projects/ programmes. The major imported items include EEE components, high strength carbon-carbon fibres, space qualified Solar Cells, Detectors, Optics, Power Amplifiers etc. During the financial year 2021-22, an amount of Rs. 174.90 Cr was generated towards export of launch services, data sales and in-orbit support services and post-launch operations.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 95 (STARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Resumption of Delhi-Ambala Passenger Train
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Nayab Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 95 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2023

## RESUMPTION OF DELHI-AMBALA PASSENGER TRAIN

†* 95.  SHRI NAYAB SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government proposes to resume the operation of train number 64561 (Delhi - Ambala Passenger) which was suspended during the Corona period;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to resume the regular operation of the train in the Parliamentary constituency of Kurukshetra which were suspended during the Corona period; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION  NO.  95  BY  SHRI  NAYAB  SINGH  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK SABHA  ON  08.02.2023  REGARDING  RESUMPTION  OF  DELHI-AMBALA

PASSENGER TRAIN (a)  and  (b)    Indian  Railways,  to  contain  the  spread  of  COVID-19 pandemic,  had  discontinued  all  regular  passengers  carrying  trains, including  Mail/Express  trains,  w.e.f  23.03.2020  and  only  special  trains were being operated. Indian Railways have also undertaken rationalization of the time table, including rationalization of train services, in a scientific manner with the assistance of IIT-Bombay. The exercise has been undertaken inter alia to provide for better passenger safety by creating maintenance corridor blocks, minimizing conflicts in existing time table, generation of additional path for freight traffic and to speed up train services. Accordingly, 64561/62 Delhi-Ambala Passenger (via  Meerut City-Saharanpur) is now being operated between Delhi and Saharanpur  as  20411/12  Delhi-Saharanpur  Express  (via  Meerut  City). Since, November-2021, train services are being operated with rationalized time table and presently 09 pairs of Mail/Express are serving Delhi-Meerut City-Saharanpur-Ambala section. (c) and (d) Indian Railways do not operate train services on Parliamentary  Constituency-wise/State-wise  basis  as  Railway  network straddles across Parliamentary Constituency/State boundaries. However, Delhi-Panipat-Kurukshetra-Ambala sector is, presently,  being  served  by

50 pairs of Mail/Express service.

*****