Lok Sabha Question No. 205 (STARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Approval for K-Rail Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Hibi Eden, Behanan Benny

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 205

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

## APPROVAL FOR K-RAIL PROJECT

- *205.   SHRI HIBI EDEN: SHRI BENNY BEHANAN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government of Kerala has submitted new documents/clarifications for the K-Rail (Silver Line) project for approval and  permission,  on  or  after  02  February,  2022  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether the Union Government has re-examined the project on or after 02 February, 2022 and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the grant of approval/permission/NOC by the Government for the project is likely to depend on the technological/economic/financial viability of the said project and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether it has come to the notice of the Union Government that the State Government is moving ahead with the project without conducting proper environmental impact studies and if so, the steps taken by the Ministry in this regard; and
- (e) the measures taken by Government to increase the speed of existing trains passing through the State?

## 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  STARRED QUESTION NO. 205 BY SHRI HIBI EDEN AND SHRI BENNY BEHANAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.03.2022 REGARDING APPROVAL FOR KRAIL PROJECT

- (a)
- (b)

No, Sir. No, Sir.

- (c) Project  of  Semi  High  Speed  Rail  from  Thiruvananthapuram  to  Kasargod (530.6  Km)  in  Kerala  has  been  identified   by  Kerala  Rail  Development Corporation Limited (KRDCL), a Joint Venture company of State Government of Kerala (51%) and Ministry of Railways (49%) for development.   In-  Principle  approval  (IPA)  for  taking  up  pre-investment activities  has  been  conveyed  by  Ministry  of  Railways.  After  survey, KRDCL has submitted Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Semi High Speed Rail Project to the Ministry of Railways for approval. Cost of the project has been assessed as ₹ 63941 Cr. DPR is under examination by Ministry of Railways. Sufficient details for technical feasibility are not available in the DPR. Therefore,  KRDCL  has  been  advised  to provide detailed technical documents such as alignment plan, particulars of railway land and private land, crossings over existing railway network, duly depicting affected  railway  asset  through  Zonal  Railway  after  site  verification  for detailed  examination  of  the  project  and  to  arrive  at  conclusion  about feasibility  of  project.  Financial  viability  will  be  examined  and  firmed  up thereon. Consideration of the project will depend upon techno-economic viability of the project. Project is not yet sanctioned. Approval of Cabinet Committee of Economic Affairs will be required as project is costing more than ₹ 1000 Cr.
- (d)
- No, Sir. Project is not yet sanctioned.
- (e) Indian  Railways  do  not  operate  train  services  on  State-wise  basis  as Railway network straddle across State boundaries. During 2020-21, 179 Express  train  services  and  17  passenger  services  have  been  speeded over Southern Railway, which inter alia caters to the stations located in the State of Kerala. Besides, speeding up of train services is a constant endeavour and continuous exercise on Indian Railways.

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