opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 562 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Export target for Textile Sector
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Rahul Ramesh Shewale, Pritam Gopinath Munde, Girish Bhalchandra Bapat

- (a) & (b):

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 562

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## EXPORT TARGET FOR TEXTILE SECTOR

562.  SHRI CHANDRA SEKHAR SAHU: SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE: DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE: SHRI GIRISH BHALCHANDRA BAPAT:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री

be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Union Government has fixed any export target for textiles sector in the Budget 2021-22;
- (b) if so, the details in this regard;
- (c) whether the Ministry has prepared any action plan to achieve the target;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) the names of the countries with whom the Government has been interacting to expedite Free Trade Agreement and Preferential Trade Agreement (FTAs or PTAs);
- (f)  whether  the  Ministry  of  Textiles  is  working  with  the  Ministry  of  Finance  on  interest  equalisation scheme and enhancement of insurance cover; and
- (g) if so, the details along with the status thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER )

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्री मती दर्शना जरदोर्

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

Details of commodity-wise export target for textiles sector is as follows:

## (USD mn)

| S. No.   | Commodity                                         |   Target Fixed |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------|----------------|
| 1        | Cotton Yarn/Fabs./Madeups, Handloom Products Etc. |          13612 |
| 2        | Man-Made Yarn/Fabs./Madeups Etc.                  |           6139 |
| 3        | Rmg Of All Textiles                               |          20029 |
| 4        | Jute Mfg. Including Floor Covering                |            507 |
| 5        | Carpet                                            |           1817 |
| 6        | Handicrafts Excl. Hand Made Carpet                |           2244 |
|          | Total                                             |          44348 |

Source: D/o Commerce

- (c) & (d): Regular  meetings  are  held  by  Department  of  Commerce  with  Ministry  of  Textiles  to analyze the export trend of the Textile sector and discuss the strategy to achieve the textiles exports targets.  Regular interactions are also held with Export Promotion Councils.
- (e): India  is  currently  in  the  process  of  negotiating  FTAs  with  UAE,  EU  (European  Union), Australia, UK, Canada, Israel, Eurasian Economic Union and other countries/region.
- (f) & (g): The  representation  received  with  reference  to  interest  equalisation  scheme  has  been forwarded to Ministry of Finance for appropriate action.
Lok Sabha Question No. 560 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Security of Nuclear Plants
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Parvesh Sahib Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.560

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## SECURITY OF NUCLEAR PLANTS

## 560. SHRI  PARVESH SAHIB SINGH VERMA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  reports  of  incidents  expressing  doubts  about  the  security  of  nuclear power plants and/or leakages in the reactors in the country have come to the notice  of  the  Government  during  the  last  three  years  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) the details about the protocol for evacuating citizens from the zone in case of malfunctioning in the reactor core and other related safety issues; and
- (c) if  so, Whether training drills are conducted on a regular basis with emergency teams and security forces ?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) There have been no incidents of radioactive leakage to the environment from any nuclear power plant in the country in the last three years.
- (b)&(c)  Highest  priority  is  accorded  to  safety  in  all  aspects  of  nuclear  power  viz. siting,  design,  construction,  commissioning,  and  operation.  Nuclear  power plants are designed adopting safety principles of redundancy, diversity and provided fail-safe design features following a defence-in-depth approach, in line with codes and guides of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB). The operations  are  performed  adopting  well  laid  out  procedures  by  highly qualified,  trained  and  licensed  personnel.  Appropriate  Personal  Protection Equipments and monitoring aids are provided to all the personnel working in the nuclear power plants. The safety of nuclear power plants is continuously monitored and reviewed by the AERB.

A  detailed  emergency  preparedness  plan  in  line  with  the  guidelines  of  the Atomic  Energy  Regulatory  Board  (AERB)  is  put  in  place  at  each  of  the nuclear  power  plant  sites  before  start  of  their  operation.  The  emergency preparedness plans incorporate effective measures for evacuation of public in the unlikely event of an emergency.

The State authorities and designated responders (including security personnel)  are  trained  in  all  aspects  of  the  emergency  response.  Local people living in the vicinity are sensitized about the actions to be taken in the unlikely  event  of  an  emergency.  Emergency  exercises  are  conducted periodically in accordance with the plan and improvements if any, based on the  feedback  are  made  in  the  procedures.  Regular  exercises  on  security contingencies are conducted with On Site and Off Site response force.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 559 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Cattle Deaths on Railway Tracks
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 559 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## CATTLE DEATHS ON RAILWAY TRACKS

559.  SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the cattle deaths on railway tracks due to run over by trains from year 2015 to 2021, State wise;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  provides  any  compensation  for  cattle deaths to respective owner  or farmer, if so, the number  of beneficiaries who received compensation from years 2015 to 2021 and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  build  elevated corridors for Railways in identified areas where there is more cattle movements and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the  details  of  the  measures  undertaken  by  the  Government  to reduce the deaths of the cattle on railway tracks;
- (e) whether the Government has incurred any losses due to delay of trains caused by cattle deaths on railway tracks, if so, the details thereof?

## 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.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 559 BY SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  01.12.2021  REGARDING  CATTLE DEATHS ON RAILWAY TRACKS

(a)  The  desired  information  regarding  number  of  cattle  deaths recorded  due  to  train  accidents  from  2015  to  2021  State-wise  is quite  spread  out  and  extensive  and  requires  sufficient  time  for compilation.

(b) No compensation for cattle deaths to respective owner or farmer is  provided  as  run  over  cases  occur  due  to  trespassing  by  stray cattle in the right of way of Railways.

(c) No, Sir.

(d) A number of preventive measures are taken by Zonal Railways to reduce  the  deaths  of  cattle  on  Railway  track,  which  include  the following: (i) Cleaning of garbage and removal of wild vegetation along the track. (ii) Sensitization of Train Crew on a regular basis for frequent whistling at locations prone to cattle run over. (iii) Construction of fencing/boundary wall at identified locations of trespass by cattle and approaches of major towns. (iv) Counselling of villagers for avoiding cattle coming near track during safety propagandas in villages.

(e)  No  monetary  loss  suffered  by  Railways  for  such  incidents. However,  checking  of  locomotives  and  track  after  the  incidents result in detention of trains.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 554 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Redevelopment Projects
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sougata Ray

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.554 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

554.  PROF. SOUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of railway stations that got PPP Funding for redevelopment projects;
- (b) the reasons for non cooperation of private players in the project as per the expectations;
- (c) whether the Government will invest directly for the redevelopment projects of major stations; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) and (b)  Rani  Kamlapati  Railway Station  in  the  State  of  Madhya Pradesh has been commissioned through Public Private Partnership (PPP).  There  has  been  encouraging  response  from  prospective bidders during the pre-bid meeting of such projects.
- (c) No, Sir.
- (d) Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 553 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: EPCs
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Rajeshbhai Naranbhai Chudasama

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 553 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01 st  DECEMBER, 2021

## EPCs

## 553.   SHRI RAJESHBHAI CHUDASAMA:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वािण᭔य एवं उ᳒ोग मंᮢी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) the details and the number of Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) that have been created by the Ministry?
- (b) the kind of work that has been done by these EPCs during the last five years? and
- (c) whether there has ever been any audit of their performance and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

- (a) to (c): Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) are organizations of exporters, set up under  the  Societies  Registration  Act/  Companies  Act,  with  the  objective  of promoting  Indian  exports.   The  councils  are  responsible  for  promotion  of  a particular  group  of  products/  projects/services  as  given  in  Appendix  2T  of  the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2015-2020.  The list of 14 such EPCs affiliated to the Department  of  Commerce  is  at Annexure. Regular  joint  meetings  with  the councils to facilitate interactions with exporters and to assess performance of the councils  are  held.   The  accounts  of  the  councils  are  subject  to  mandatory audit.  The review reports of performance of the councils are laid in the Parliament along with Annual Report each year.

************

## Annexure to Lok Sabha Unstarred Q. No. 553

## LIST OF EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCILS AFFILIATED TO DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

1.  Basic  Chemicals,  Cosmetics  &  Dyes  Export  Promotion  Council  (Chemexcil), Mumbai
2.  Cashew Export Promotion Council of India (CEPCI), Kollam, Kerala
3.  Chemical and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (Capexil), Kolkata
4.  Council for Leather Exports (CLE), Chennai
5.  EEPC India, Kolkata
6.  Export Promotion Council for EoUs and SEZs (EPCES), New Delhi
7.  Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), Mumbai
8.  Indian Oilseeds & Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC), Mumbai
9.  Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil), Hyderabad
10.  Plastics Export Promotion Council (Plexconcil), Mumbai
11.  Project Export Promotion Council (PEPC), New Delhi
12.  Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC), New Delhi
13.  Shellac & Forest Products Export Promotion Council (Shefexil), Kolkata
14.  Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC), New Delhi

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 551 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: National Design Institutes
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 551.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 1 ST  DECEMBER, 2021.

## NATIONAL DESIGN INSTITUTES

## 551.   SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

## वाणिज्य  एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the number of National Design Institutes in the country, State/Union Territorywise;
- (b) whether the Government is considering to establish a National Design Institute in Rajasthan;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य  एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री (श्री सोम प्रकाश) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a): Sir,  Five  National  Institutes  of  Design  have  been  established  in  the country as under:
- (b) to (d): The  National  Design  Policy,  2007  envisaged  that  four  new  National Institutes of Design shall be set up in addition to the National Institute of Design,  Ahmedabad.  Accordingly,  Government  of  India  has  recently established four new National Institutes of Design, one each in Andhra Pradesh,  Haryana,  Madhya  Pradesh  and  Assam  to  cater  to  the requirements of different regions of country. At present, there is no plan to further set up new National Institute of Design in the country.

| Name of State/Union Territory   | Name of National Institute of Design         |
|---------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|
| Gujarat                         | National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad      |
| Andhra Pradesh                  | National Institute of Design, Andhra Pradesh |
| Haryana                         | National Institute of Design, Haryana        |
| Madhya Pradesh                  | National Institute of Design, Madhya Pradesh |
| Assam                           | National Institute of Design, Assam          |

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 549 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Sustainable Materials in Textile Industry
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Aparajita Sarangi, Vishnu Dayal Ram

(a): Yes, Sir.

- (b) to (d): Ministry of Textiles, Government of India under R&D scheme has sanctioned projects for  'An  integrated  technology  platform  for  application  of  hemp  fibre  in  Textile  Industry'  & 'Development of value added products from different fibres in Himalayan Region'.

Further,  Indian  Council  of  Agricultural  Research  (ICAR)  under  Ministry  of  Agriculture  has developed technology for viability of using banana stem as a material in the textile industry such as an efficient  extractor  for  extraction  of  fibres  from  the  banana  pseudo-stems,  banana  fibre  separator machine,  processing  technology  for  making  life  style  products  &  use  of  banana  stem  sap  for  flame retardant finishing of jute fabric.

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 549 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## SUSTAINABLE MATERIALS IN TEXTILE INDUSTRY

## 549.  SHRIMATI APARAJITA SARANGI: SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

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

- (a) whether the Government has explored viability of using hemp, banana, and bamboo as sustainable materials in the textile industry;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c) Whether any measures are being undertaken by the Ministry to promote the use of hemp, banana fibre, and bamboo as sustainable materials in the textile industry; and

(d) if so, details thereof?

## वस्त्र राज् य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर्

## उत्तर ANSWER )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)
Lok Sabha Question No. 548 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Free Wi-Fi- Stations
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Basanta Kumar Panda

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.548 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## FREE WI-FI AT STATIONS

†548. SHRI BASANTA KUMAR PANDA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  railway  stations  across  the  country  where  the facility of free Wi-Fi is being provided to the passengers till date;
- (b) the number of railway stations where passengers are not getting this facility; and
- (c) the time by when this facility is likely to be made available at all stations  across the country including Odisha  and  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) & (b) Indian Railways have decided to provide Wi-Fi facility at all stations except halt stations. So far, Wi-Fi facility has been provided at 6071 Stations.
- (c)  Provision  of  Wi-Fi  at  balance  stations  is  in  progress  and  is dependent upon the availability of Infrastructure like Optical Fibre Cable  at  these  stations.    Railway  is  in  process  of  providing  Wi-Fi services at another 37 stations.
- Wi-Fi  facility  has  already  been  provided  at  232  stations  of  Odisha State.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 546 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Coal Mining Activity
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK   SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 546 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## Coal Mining Activity

## 546. SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

- Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the Government agrees with the view that if livelihoods are not protected while reducing coal mining activity, it would precipitate a socio economic crisis; (b)  if so, the details of the measures taken/being taken by the Government in this direction; and
- (c)  if not, the reasons thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF  PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a)  :  Being an affordable source of energy with substantial reserve, there is no plan to reduce coal mining activity in the foreseeable future.
- (b) & (c): Questions do not arise in view of answer to part (a) above.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 541 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Loss of Food Grains
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Uttam Kumar Nalamada Reddy

## GOVERNMENT  OF INDIA utNIsTRy oF GONSUmER AFFA|RS, FOOD &  pUBLtC  DISTR|BUTION

## DEPARTTEI{T OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTIOI{ LOKSABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.54{ TO BE ATTSWERED  ON ISI DECETIBE&  2O2I

## LOSS OF FOOD GRAINA

## 54I. AHRI UTTAM  KUMAR REDDY NALAMADA:

Will the  Ministcr  of  CONSUi,iER AFFA|RE, FOOD AND  pUBLtC DlsrRrBUTroN  3csfuil amd, srqa sik grffi+ frtr{q d* be pteased  to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry matntalns  any record  of the loss of food grains  due to problems  wlth the storage and transportataon  infrastructuro;
- (b) lf 30, the details of the amount  of food grains  lost duc to these reasons in the last five years;
- (c) af not, Ute reasons thercfo4 and
- (d) whether any measures arc betng taken to recfifyr thesc probrems and if so, the details  thereof?

## ANSWER

## il|INISTER  OF STATE FOR TIINISTRY  OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AI{D GONSUIUTER AFFAIRS,  FOOD &  puB!.tc  DISTRTBUTTON (sADHVt NTRANJAN JYOTr)

(a) & (b): Yes Sir. The detalts on the quantity  of foodgrains,  which is accrued  as non-lssuable in Food corporaflon  of lndia (FGr) during transportation in last flvo years is as under:

(Fig. in Lakh tonnes)

| Year     |   Quantltt/ of foodgrains tranaported | Quantlty of translt damage accnred   |
|----------|---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| 2016.17  |                                   410 | o.oo{8                               |
| 2017.1A  |                                   420 | o.0026                               |
| 20r8.{9  |                                   383 | o.oo27                               |
| 2lJ19.20 |                                   389 | o.00{o                               |
| 2020-21  |                                   594 | 0.0008                               |

Moreover, no d last five years  due to amage of central pool  foodgrains occurrod ln FGt during the lack of storage infrastructure.

- (c): Does not arise in view of (a) above,
- (d): steps taken by the Government  of lndia to prevent losses of foodgrains during transportation:
- ) Low densaty  poryethyrene  (LDPE) sheet is spread oyer tho froor of wagons to avoid contaminataon  of toodgrains with extraneous  matter.
- ) covered rai! wagons free from roof reakage are used for movement of foodgraans  so as to ayotd damagc  during transit.
- > LDPE sheeutarpaurins are praced  on door flaps of wagons to prevent  the foodgrains to get affected from rain water during t?ansportation.
- ) Tarpaulins  sheet are ptacad at platforms at the tame of loading  & unloadlng of wagons/trucks  to cofloct tho spittage  to avoid wastage  of foodgrains.

i****
Lok Sabha Question No. 540 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Tax Breaks
Ministry: PLANNING
Asked by: Geetha Viswanath Vanga, Kotha Prabhakar  Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PLANNING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 540

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## TAX BREAKS

540. SHRIMATI  VANGA GEETHA  VISWANATH: SHRI KOTHA PRABHAKAR  REDDY:

Will  the  Minister  of  PLANNING be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  NITI  Aayog  is  working  on  for  tax  breaks  to  achieve  monetisation  Goal  and  proposes insolvency  cover for investment  instruments;  and
- (b) if  so, the  details  thereof  till  date?

## ANSWER

MINISTER  OF STATE (INDEPENDENT  CHARGE)  OF THE MINISTRY OF STATISTICS  AND PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTATION;  MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)  OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER  OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY  OF CORPORATE AFFAIRS

## (RAO INTERJIT SINGH)

- (a) &  (b):  Further  to  the  launch  of  National  Monetisation  Pipeline,  the  concerned  line  Ministries and  Departments  are  working  towards  achieving  their  respective  monetisation  targets.  No  tax breaks to achieve monetisation goal or insolvency cover for investment instruments in particular  are currently  being  worked upon  by NITI Aayog.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 536 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-01
Subject: Puri-Konark new Railway Line Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Pinaki Misra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 536 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.12.2021

## PURI-KONARK NEW RAILWAY LINE PROJECT

536.  SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of the Puri-Konark New Railway Line Project;
- (b) the steps taken by the Railways to expedite the implementation of the project; and
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  has  considered  to  sign  the  MoU  with  State Government for this project, if so, the expected date of its initiation and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c): Survey for construction of a new railway line between Puri and Konark (33 km) has been completed and the cost of the project has been assessed  as ₹ 725.78  crore.  The  survey  report  has  been  taken  up  for firming up the requirement and financial viability of the project, including aspect of cost sharing with State Government of Odisha.

*****