Lok Sabha Question No. 1476 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-28
Subject: Doubling of Railway Line in Kerala
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Abdul Majeed Ariff

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1476 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.07.2021

## DOUBLING OF RAILWAY LINE IN KERALA

1476.    ADV. A.M. ARIFF:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to release the amount required  for  the  doubling  of  railway  line  from  Ambalappuzha  to Ernakulam  via  Alappuzha  on  the  Ernakulam-Kayamkulam  stretch  in Kerala and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) if  not,  whether  the  Government  will  expedite  the  said  release  of amount;
- (c) whether the Government has fixed any timeline for the completion of the doubling of the above stretch in a time-bound manner and if so, the details thereof;and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  enhance  the infrastructure and amenities at Alappuzha railway station, which is a major back-water tourism destination in Kerala and 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.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1476 BY ADV. A.M. ARIFF TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 28.07.2021  REGARDING  DOUBLING OF RAILWAY LINE IN KERALA

(a)  and  (b)  :  Yes,  Sir.  Doubling  between  Ernakulam  -  Ambalappuzha  has been  taken  up  in  three  parts  viz.  Ernakulam-  Kumbalam,  Kumbalam  Turavur and Turavur - Ambalapuzha. On account of considerable increase on the cost of the project due to abnormal rise in the cost of the land, the State  Government  of  Kerala  was  requested  to  provide  land  free  of  cost and to share 50% cost of the project. The Government of Kerala refused to share the cost of project. Therefore, Railways has decided to take up this project with its own funding. Adequate funds have been provided for execution of these projects. Details are given below:-

Ernakulam-Kumbalam doubling project (7.71 Km)- A Budget outlay of ` 10 Crore was provided in the Financial year 2021-22 for the project. However, in June, 2021, additional funds of ` 262 Crore have been allotted.

Kumbalam - Turavur (15.59 Km) doubling project- A Budget outlay of ` 10 Crore was provided in the Financial year 2021-22 for the project. However, in June, 2021, additional funds of ` 248.20 Crore have been allotted.

Turavur- Ambalapuzha (45.90 Km) doubling project- A Budget outlay of ` 10 Crore has been provided in the Financial year 2021-22 for the project.

(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 share by State Government  in  cost  sharing  projects,  priority   of   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 site, number of working months in a year for particular project site due to climatic conditions etc. and all these factors affect the completion  time  of  the  project(s)  which  is  finally  worked  out  at  the completion  stage.  However,  Railways  is  making  all the efforts for expeditious completion of project(s).

(d)  Yes,  Sir.  Alappuzha  a NSG3 (Non-Suburban Grade-3) category station on  Ernakulam  -Alappuzha-  Kayankulam  section  of  Thiruvananthapuram Division.  This  station  has  already  been  developed  under  Model,  Modern and Adarsh Station schemes. In addition, the work of façade improvement, provision of galvalume roof over station building, provision of 10-seater stainless steel benches (30 nos.) and improvement to toilets have been completed at the station. Works for provision of monumental flag  and  upper  class  waiting  room  are  in  progress.  Another  work  for provision  of  2  lifts  and  improvement  to  approach  road  have  been sanctioned.

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