Lok Sabha Question No. 1713 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Introducing New Trains to Trichirappalli Division
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S. Ramalingam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1713 TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.07.2022

## INTRODUCING NEW TRAINS TO TRICHIRAPPALLI DIVISION

## 1713.  SHRI RAMALINGAM S.:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Ministry has taken any steps to restore the Mayiladuthurai-Tharangambadi Railway Line  (Tiruchirappalli  Division, Southern Railway) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  provide  central financial grant to Tiruchirappalli Division and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Ministry has taken any steps to introduce new trains to Tiruchirappalli Division and if so, the details relating to Mayiladuthurai and Villupuram;
- (d) whether  the  Ministry  has  taken  any  initiative  to  restore  passenger train  services  between  Trichy to Villupuram via Kumbakonam and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  Ministry  has  introduced  MEMU  trains  in  lieu  of  all passenger trains that are being operated in the fully electrified TrichyMayiladuthurai-Villupuram section and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether  the  Ministry  has  taken  any  new  steps  to  improve  the provision of level crossings and if so, the details thereof?

## 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. 1713 BY SHRI RAMALINGAM S. TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 27.07.2022 REGARDING INTRODUCING NEW TRAINS TO TRICHIRAPPALLI DIVISION

(a): Survey for Mayiladuthurai to Karaikal new line via Tharangambadi (47.32 Km)  was  completed  in  2011.    However,  the  project  could  not  be  taken forward in view of Peralam-Kariakal  line being prioritized by Government of Puducherry.

(b):  No  Central  Financial  grants  are  made  by  the  Ministry  of  Railways  to Divisions  of  Indian  Railways.  However,  allocations  for  Revenue  and  Capital expenditure are made to the Zonal Railways on Annual Budget of Railways which  are  further  allocated  to  the  Divisions  by  the  Zonal  authorities. Tiruchirapalli  Division  comes  under  Southern  Zone  of  Indian  Railways.  In Budget  Estimate  (BE)  2022-23,  Gross  allotment  of ` 9,560  crore  has  been made  for  Capital  expenditure  and ` 16,374  crore (including  pensionary charges) for Ordinary Working Expenses for Southern Railway.

(c):  Introduction  of  new  train  services  is  an  ongoing  process  on  Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic demand and availability of resources etc.

(d):  Indian  Railways  have  started  operation  of  Mail/Express  service  with regular  numbers  and  rationalized  time  table  since  November,  2021,  while passenger services are being operated in a phased manner. Accordingly, as on 20.07.2022, 21 passenger special train services are catering to the needs of passengers of Tiruchchirappalli-Kumbakonam-Villupuram sectors.

(e): On Indian Railways, conversion of passenger trains into MEMU services is  an  ongoing  process  and  is  undertaken  in  a  phased  manner  inter  alia subject to availability of rolling stock.

(f): All  unmanned  level  crossings  on  Broad  Gauge  (BG)  route  on  India Railway have been eliminated. As per extant policy, no new level crossing is being provided as LCs are potential safety hazard for both rail and road users. Existing Non-interlocked level crossings are being converted into interlocked level crossings (LCs).

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