Lok Sabha Question No. 1092 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-08
Subject: Expansion of Additional Platforms
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sukanta Majumdar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1092 TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.02.2023

## EXPANSION OF ADDITIONAL PLATFORMS

1092. DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Railways has identified to expand  and  construct additional platforms with covered shed at various stations in the country, including at Buniadpur in West Bengal ;
- (b) if so, the details and the present status thereof ;
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  proposes  to  raise  the  height  of  platforms  at different  railway  stations  situated  in  West  Bengal  and  if  so,  the  details thereof ;
- (d) the number of proposals received/approved/pending from West Bengal regarding extension and construction of platforms and the action taken thereon ;
- (e)  the norms for fixation of number of platforms at  railway stations in the Country ; and
- (f)  the  total  budgetary  allocation  made  and  total  funds  utilized  on providing facility at Balurghat Railway Station during the last three year ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

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

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1092 BY DR. SUKANTA  MAJUMDAR  TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 08.02.2023 REGARDING EXPANSION OF ADDITIONAL PLATFORMS

- (a) and  (b) Indian  Railways  reviews  the  requirement  of  additional platforms  as  well  as  extension  of  platforms  with  growth  in  volume  of traffic  and  other  various  relevant  factors  including  technical  feasibility, which  is  a  continuous  process.  Buniadpur  Railway  station  is  a  Nonsuburban  Grade-5  category  railway  station  under  Northeast  Frontier Railway.  Presently, at Buniadpur Railway station one high level platform with platform shed of 56 sq.m. is available which meet with the present day requirement.
- (c)  Yes,  Sir.  In  the  state  of  West  Bengal,  18  Railway  Stations  are proposed for raising the height of platforms.
- (d) The requests for extension and construction of additional platform are received  from  various  stakeholders  and  action  is  taken  by  Railways based  on  growth  in  volume  of  traffic  and  various  relevant  factors.  The proposals  whenever  received  from  State  Govt.  are  dealt  with  as  per extant rules.
- (e)  Numbers  of  platforms  at  stations  are  provided  based  on  volume  of traffic/trains and technical feasibility.
- (f)  The  details  of  allocation  and  expenditure  for  development  and maintenance  of  stations  are  maintained  zonal  Railway-wise  not  Statewise or station-wise. Passenger amenities are generally funded under Plan  Head  -  53  'Customer  Amenities'.  Balurghat  Railway  Station  falls under  Northeast  Frontier  Railway.  The  details  of  funds  allocated  and expenditure incurred by Northeast Frontier Railway under Plan Head-53 'Customer Amenities', during the last three years and current year are as under:-

(₹ in crores)

|                      | 2019-20      | 2019-20        | 2020-21      | 2020-21        | 2021-22       | 2021-22        | 2022-23      | 2022-23                        |
|----------------------|--------------|----------------|--------------|----------------|---------------|----------------|--------------|--------------------------------|
| Zonal Railway        | Allo- cation | Expe nd- iture | Allo- cation | Expe nd- iture | Allo- cati on | Expe nd- iture | Allo- cation | Expend- iture (Till Dec, 2022) |
| North- east Frontier | 107.24       | 100.27         | 106.12       | 104.07         | 99.34         | 90.03          | 96.11        | 66.58                          |

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