Lok Sabha Question No. 5416 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-05
Subject: Premium Flagship Train via Thawe route
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Alok Kumar Suman

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5416 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.04.2023

## PREMIUM FLAGSHIP TRAIN VIA THAWE ROUTE

5416.  DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  the  Thawe  station  should  be  developed  and  passenger amenities  should  be  made  world  class  to  cater  to  the  need  of  pilgrims visiting the Maa durga temple and if so, the details in this regard;
- (b)  whether  the  Indian  Railways  has  connected  all  State  capitals,  has covered  almost  all  important  parts  of  the  country  and  all  important passenger dominated rail sections/routes through Rajdhani Express except Thawe junction, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)    whether  it  is  a  fact  that  one  of  the  oldest  and  highest  passenger catering route has been devoid of this premium facility i.e. Delhi, Lucknow, Gonda,  Gorakhpur,  Kaptanganj,  Padrauna,  Thawe,  Chhapra  section  of Indian Railways and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  whether there is any proposal to introduce a premium flagship train via Thawe route to Patna and Guwahati; and
- (e)   if so, the time by which it is likely to be done?

## 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 UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5416 BY DR. ALOK KUMAR SUMAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 05.04.2023 REGARDING PREMIUM FLAGSHIP TRAIN VIA THAWE ROUTE. (a): The  Amrit  Bharat  Station  scheme  has  recently  been  launched  for development of Stations on Indian Railways. Thawe Railway Station is one of the Stations identified under this scheme. This scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long term approach.  It involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation  in  phases  to  improve  the  amenities  at  the  stations  like improvement  of  station  access,  circulating  areas,  waiting  halls,  toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through schemes like 'One Station One Product', better passenger information  systems,  executive  lounges,  nominated  spaces  for  business meetings,  landscaping  etc.   keeping  in  view  the  necessity  at  each  such station. The  scheme  also  envisages  improvement  of  building,  integrating  the station  with  both  sides  of  the  city,  multimodal  integration,  amenities  for Divyangjans,  sustainable  and  environment  friendly  solutions,  provision  of ballast less tracks, 'Roof Plazas' as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centres at the station in the long term.

(b) to (e): Rajdhani  Express  services  are  primarily  meant  to  connect  the National Capital and State Capitals. At present, 25 pairs of Rajdhani express are operational over Indian Railways.  These services also cater to the needs of  enroute  stations.  Further,  introduction  of  train  service(s)  is  an  ongoing process  on  Indian  Railways,  subject  to  operational  feasibility,  commercial viability and availability of resources.

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