Lok Sabha Question No. 1269 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-09
Subject: Railway Projects in Punjab
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ravneet Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1269 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2022

## RAILWAY PROJECTS IN PUNJAB

## 1269. SHRI  RAVNEET SINGH BITTU :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of railway projects in Punjab, district/project-wise including those where survey has been conducted and approval has been accorded but work has not been started  yet;
- (b) the details of the total budgetary allocations made by the Government for these projects;
- (c) the reasons, if any, for the delay in the completion of these railway projects in Punjab;
- (d) whether the Government is taking any measures to complete all the pending railway projects in Punjab within a fixed time schedule; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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. 1269 BY SHRI RAVNEET SINGH BITTU TO BE ANSWERED IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  09.02.2022  REGARDING  RAILWAY  PROJECTS  IN PUNJAB.

(a) & (b):  The Railway projects are sanctioned Zonal Railway-wise and not State-wise  as  the  Railway  projects  may  span  across  State  boundaries. However,  as  on  01.04.2021,  15  Projects  (6  New  Lines  and  9  Doubling), 25,301 crore for 1,781 km length falling fully/partly in Punjab are under  different  stages  of  planning/approval/execution,  Out  of  which  316 3,827 Cr. has costing ₹ Km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of ₹ been incurred upto March 2021.  These include :

-  6 New Line Projects of total length 356 km at a cost of ₹ 12,230 crore, out of which 61 Km  length has been commissioned and an expenditure of ₹ 1,471 Cr. has been incurred upto March 21.
-  9  Doubling  Projects  of  total  length  1,425  km  at  a  cost  of ₹ 13,071 crore,  out  of  which  255  Km  length  has  been  commissioned  and  an expenditure of ₹ 2,356 Cr. has been incurred upto March 21.

Railway  infrastructure  projects  in  the  State  of  Punjab  is  covered  under Northern  Railway(NR)  and  North  Western  Railway(NWR)  zone  of  Indian Railways. Zone wise details  of these 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)> Pink  Book  (year)>  Railway-wise  Works,  Machinery  and  Rolling  Stock Programme (RSP).

Since 2014, there has been substantial increase in Budget allocations and commensurate commissioning of infrastructure projects.  Average Annual Budget  Allocation  for  infrastructure  projects  and  safety  works,  falling fully/Partly in State of Punjab during 2014-19, has been enhanced to ₹ 1004 crore per year from ₹ 225 crore  per year during 2009-14, which is 346% more  than    average  annual  budget  allocation  during  2009-14.    These allocations have been increased to ₹ 1095 crore in financial year 2019-20 (387%  more  than  average  annual  budget  outlay  of  2009-14)  and ₹ 1565 crore for financial year 2020-21 (596% more than average annual budget outlay of 2009-14).  For financial year 2021-22, highest ever budget outlay of ₹ 2262 crore has been provided for these projects, which is 905% more than average annual budget outlay of 2009-14. (c): 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  by State Government in Cost sharing  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 considerations etc.    All  these  factors  affect  the  completion  time  of  the  project(s). Nevertheless, every effort is being made to execute the project expeditiously. (d) & (e): Various steps taken by the Government for effective and speedy implementation of Railway projects include (i) prioritisation of projects (ii) substantial increase in allocation of funds on priority projects (iii) delegation  of  powers  at  field  level (iv) close  monitoring  of progress of projects at various levels, and (v) regular follow up with State Governments and concerned authorities for expeditious land acquisition, forestry and Wildlife clearances and for resolving other issues pertaining to projects. During  2014-21,  114  Km  Doubling  sections  falling  fully/partly  in  Punjab have  been  commissioned  in  the  State  at  an  average  rate  16.29  km  per

year.

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