opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1591 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Defence Procurement Agreements
Ministry: DEFENCE
Asked by: Omprakash Bhupalsinh alias Pawan Rajenimbalkar, Rahul Ramesh Shewale, Hemant Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF DEFENCE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENCE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1591

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th  February, 2021

## DEFENCE PROCUREMENT AGREEMENTS

1591. SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH alias PAWAN RAJENIMBALKAR: SHRI RAHUL RAMESH SHEWALE: SHRI HEMANT SRIRAM PATIL:

Will the Minister of DEFENCE j{kk ea=h be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  defence  procurement  agreements  signed  by  the  Government  with  other countries  during  the  last  three  years  and  the  current  year  along  with  amount  involved  in  such procurement agreements, Country-wise;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  adhered  to  the  Defence  Procurement  Procedure  (DPP)  in signing such agreements during the said period and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of complaints received by the Government for irregularities/corruption in signing such agreements during the said period; and
- (d) the other steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## A    N    S    W    E    R

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a) & (b):   Procurement of military equipment and systems are undertaken based upon operation requirements  of  the  Armed  Forces  as  per  Defence  Acquisition  Procedure  (DAP)/Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP).  The DAP and DPP, inter-alia, provide for capital acquisition for the  Armed  Forces  through  Inter  Government  Agreements  (IGA)/Government  to  Government arrangements  such  as  Letter  of  Offer  and  Acceptance  (LOA)  with  friendly  foreign  countries. During last three years and current year, 20 such IGAs/LOAs have been entered into with Russia and USA for capital acquisitions of defence equipment such as Aircrafts, Helicopters, Frigates, small Arms, Ammunitions etc.

(c) & (d):  The capital procurement of defence equipment is carried out as per the provisions of Defence  Acquisition  Procedure  (DAP)/Defence  Procurement  Procedure  (DPP)  which  contains provisions including the signing of Pre-Contract Integrity Pact (PCIP), Standard Clauses in the contract and submission of Integrity Pact Bank Guarantee (IPBG) by the vendor, with  an aim to ensure  highest  degree  of  probity  and  public  accountability,  transparency  in  operations,  free competition  and  impartiality.    In  addition,  DAP/DPP  provides  that  complaints  arising  at  any stage  of  the  acquisition  process  are  examined  by  a  panel  of  nominated  and  CVC  approved Independent  External  Monitors  (IEMs)  based  on  referral  by  MoD(Acquisition)/any  other Department  of  MoD  or  suo-moto  complaints  by  the  vendors/any  other  agency.    All  the  ibid provisions ensure desired transparency  and objectivity in dealing with the complaints arising out of acquisition process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1590 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Merger of BSNL and MTNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: M.K. Vishnu Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1590 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2021

## MERGER OF BSNL AND MTNL

## 1590.   DR. VISHNU PRASAD M.K.:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the proposed merger of BSNL and MTNL is likely to help in improving the quality of their services;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the said companies would be able to provide 4G and 5G services; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) to (d) The Government has approved the revival plan for Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and  Mahanagar  Telephone  Nigam  Limited  (MTNL)  on  23.10.2019.    The  revival  plan  inter-alia includes  administrative  allotment  of  spectrum  to  BSNL/MTNL  for  providing  4G  services  with funding through budgetary allocation and in-principle approval for merger of BSNL and MTNL.

As a step towards merger, to achieve synergy and to enable BSNL to have a pan-India footprint, the Government  on  21.12.2020  has  approved  allotment  of  spectrum  to  BSNL  for  Delhi  and  Mumbai (MTNL areas) for 4G services.

BSNL  has  floated  an  Expression  of  Interest  (EOI)  on  01.01.2021  for  prior  registration/Proof  of Concept (PoC) from Indian Companies interested in participating in BSNL's upcoming 4G tender.

BSNL has informed that it has not yet planned for launch of 5G services in its network.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1589 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Conduct of DPC
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Arvind Kumar Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL AND TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1589

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2021)

## CONDUCT OF DPC

## 1589. DR. ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether this a fact that even after repeated exhortations and court's decisions many of the Government departments do not conduct regular Departmental Promotion Committee(DPC) and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government for its strict implementation?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a)  &  (b):        The  Department  of  Personnel  and  Training  (DoP&T)  has  been impressing upon Ministries/Departments from time to time regarding timely conduct of meeting of Departmental Promotion  Committee  (DPC).  As  per  instructions  issued  by  DoP&T,  the  Cadre  Controlling Authorities  (CCA)  in  Ministries/Departments  of  Government  of  India  are  responsible  for ensuring  conduct  of  regular  DPCs  in  accordance  with  the  guidelines  and  grant  of  timely promotions.

To further  streamline  the  procedure,  instructions  were  issued  by  DoP&T  vide  OM  no. 22011/4/2013-Estt.(D) dated 08.05.2017 prescribing a Model Calendar for timely convening of DPC  meetings,  and  advising  Ministries/Departments  to  ensure  strict  adherence  to  the  Model Calendar.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1588 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Joining RCEP
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Kaushalendra Kumar, Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1588 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th   FEBRUARY, 2021

## JOINING RCEP

1588.  SHRI KAUSHALENDRA KUMAR: SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वा�ण�य एवं उ�योग मं�ी ) be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  decided  not  to  join  Regional  Comprehensive  Economic Partnership(RCEP) and if so, the reasons for the same;
- (b) whether it is a fact that the world's biggest free trade deal has been signed in November, 2020 under RCEP without India;
- (c) if so, whether it would adversely impact our economy and growth;
- (d) whether the Government has any plans to review all Free Trade Agreements(FTA ); and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jh gjnhi flag iqjh½

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)

- (a) to (c): The Government held extensive consultations with stakeholders such as the domestic industry, exporters, Export Promotion Councils, trade experts, various Ministries/Departments, academicians etc. and received inputs, which were taken into consideration  while  formulating  India's  position  in  the  Regional  Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations. During the 3 rd RCEP Leaders' Summit held on 4 November, 2019 in Bangkok, India conveyed its position that the current structure of RCEP did not reflect the RCEP Guiding Principles or address the outstanding issues and concerns of India, in the light of which, India did not join the consensus. India's position in RCEP was formulated to achieve equitable outcomes, balanced ambitions and address domestic sensitivities of its stakeholders including small entrepreneurs. On 15  November  2020,  the  RCEP Agreement  was  signed  by  15  countries  namely  10 ASEAN member countries, Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.
- (d) to (e): Government has taken steps to review Free Trade Agreements including India-ASEAN CECA, India-Japan CEPA and India-Korea CEPA.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1583 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Construction of Arvi-Warud Railway line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ramdas Chandrabhanji Tadas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1583 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2021

## CONSTRUCTION OF ARVI-WARUD RAILWAY LINE

†1583.   SHRI RAMDAS C. TADAS:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the construction of Arvi to Warud Railway line in Nagpur division  of  the  Central  Railway  is  being  delayed  due  to  slow process of land acquisition; and
- (b) if  so,  the  time  by  which  land  will  be  acquired  and  the  details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a): No, Sir.  Arvi-Warud new railway line project is not sanctioned.
- (b): Does not arise.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1579 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Gauge Conversion from Udaipur to Ahmedabad
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Arjunlal Meena

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1579 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2021

## GAUGE CONVERSION FROM UDAIPUR TO AHMEDABAD

†1579.   SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  status  of  the  progress  of  work  of  gauge  conversion  from Udaipur to Ahmedabad;
- (b) the extent of work completed so far of the said project; and
- (c) the details of the remaining work yet to be completed and the time by which people are likely to start getting the benefits of this project?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1579 BY SHRI ARJUN LAL MEENA TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  10.02.2021  REGARDING  GAUGE CONVERSION FROM UDAIPUR TO AHMEDABAD

(a)&(b): Gauge conversion of Udaipur-Ahmedabad is a part of Ahmedabad-Himmatnagar-Udaipur gauge conversion including Modasa-Shamlaji  Road  new  line  project  (317.73  Km),  which  was sanctioned  in  2008-09.  The  latest  cost  of  the  project  is ` 1960 crore and  an  expenditure  of ` 1,600  crore  has  been  incurred  upto  March, 2020. An outlay of ` 265 crore has been provided during 2020-21.

Gauge Conversion of Ahmedabad-Himmatnagar - Dungarpur (182 km) and Kharwachanda -Udaipur (24 km) sections has been completed and work is going on in the remaining section of Kharwachanda - Dungarpur (89.49 Km).

(c): The timely completion of any Railway project depends  on various factors like land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by officials  of  forest  departments,  shifting  of  infringing  utilities  (both underground  and  over  ground),  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  considerations,  etc. and all these factors affect the completion of the project. Therefore, confirmed timeline for completion of the project cannot be given.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1578 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Parcel Business
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Rodmal Nagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1578

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2021

## PARCEL BUSINESS

† 1578.      SHRI RODMAL NAGAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Railways  has  focused  on  parcel  business  which  is important for small traders like farmers and businessmen;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the promotion of the said business is likely to attract the export traffic going towards ports in various sectors; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  1578  BY    SHRI  RODMAL  NAGAR  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN LOK SABHA  ON 10.02.2021 REGARDING  PARCEL BUSINESS.

(a)  to  (d):    Yes,  Sir.    In  order  to  provide  benefit  to  parcel  customers including  farmers  and  businessmen,  Indian  Railways  have  taken  a series of measures which include -

1. Opening  of  all  freight  handling  terminals  for  handling  of  parcel traffic.
2. Formation  of  dedicated  teams  at  zonal  and  divisional  levels  for dealing with parcel related issues.
3. Increasing the parcel carrying capacity by permitting attachment of  LHB  parcel  van  as  23rd  coach  and  leasing  of  parcel  space  in parcel  vans  attached  to  Rajdhani/Duronto  trains,  and  allowing booking of parcels upto 120 days in advance
4. Providing incentives to parcel traffic by reducing security deposit in  case  of  leased  parcel  space  from  10%  to  5%  of  the  annual contractual value, discount upto 30% on brake-vans and indented parcel  vans/Parcel  Cargo  Express  Trains  (PCET)  in  case  their utilization is less than 40%, 8% discount on base freight for parcel special trains indented and loaded with a composition of 24 parcel vans  plus  brake-van,  and  discount  in  advance  bulk  booking  of parcel space.
5. Operating Kisan Rail services to enable farmers to move perishables  including  fruits  and  vegetables  from  production  or surplus regions to consumption or deficient regions.  50% subsidy in freight, which is borne by Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI), is being granted on transportation of fruits and vegetables through Kisan Rail services.

So far, 24 rakes of export traffic have been sent to Bangladesh. Besides,  Zonal  Railways  have  been  advised  to  explore  the  avenues available  in  export  sector  and  identify  potential  traffic  that  can  be moved to Ports through Railways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1576 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Production Linked Incentive for Telecom Sector
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1576 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 TH  FEBRUARY, 2021

## PRODUCTION LINKED INCENTIVE FOR TELECOM SECTOR

## 1576.   SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  and  the  ambit  of  Production  Linked  Incentive(PLI)  scheme  launched  by  the Government for telecom and networking products including the kinds of products that will be eligible for manufacturing under the said scheme;
- (b) the expected outlay proposal by the Government in terms of incentives under the PLI scheme;
- (c) the details of the conditions required to be fulfilled by the potential firms to avail the benefits under this Scheme; and
- (d) whether,  apart  from  the  above,  the  Government  is  considering  any  other  incentives  or relaxation  of  tax  burdens  specifically  for  5G  acquisition  or  to  accelerate  the  introduction  and expansion of 5G technology in India and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI SANJAY DHOTRE)

(a) to (d) The Production Linked Incentive Scheme (PLI) for Telecom and Networking Products is proposed to be launched by the Government within overall budgetary outlay of 12,195 INR Crore over a period of five years. The Scheme is under finalisation.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1575 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Sanctioned Railway Projects
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Hasmukhbhai Somabhai Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1575 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2021

## SANCTIONED RAILWAY PROJECTS

1575. SHRI PATEL HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has sanctioned new railway projects in the country for the next five years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, Zone-wise and year-wise; and
- (c) the  number  of  projects,  out  of  the  above,  on  which  work  is going on along with the amount spent thereon so far and the steps being taken by the Government for timely completion of these projects, project-wise?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

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

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.1575  BY  SHRI  PATEL  HASMUKHBHAI SOMABHAI  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  10.02.2021 REGARDING SANCTIONED RAILWAY PROJECTS

(a)  to  (c):  Sanctioning  of  Railway  projects  is  a  continuous  and ongoing process. As on 01.04.2020, 513 Railway Projects comprising 189 New Line, 54 Gauge Conversion and 270 Doubling projects costing ` 7.5 lakh crore of total length of 53,039 km are in different stages of planning/sanction/execution, out of which commissioning of 10,013 km  length has been achieved and expenditure of ` 1.86 lakh crore incurred upto March 2020.

The Project-wise and Zone wise details are made available in public domain on Indian Railways website i.e. www.indianrailways.gov.in > Ministry of Railways > Railway Board > About  Indian  Railways  >  Railway  Board  Directorates  >  Finance (Budget)  >  Pink  Book  (Year)  >  Railway-wise  Works,  Machinery  & Rolling Stock Programme (RSP).

Various steps being taken by the Government for effective and speedy  implementation  of  rail  projects  include  (i)  prioritisation  of projects, (ii) substantial increase in allocation of funds, (iii) delegation of powers at field level, (iv) close monitoring of progress of project at various levels (v) regular follow up with State Governments and concerned authorities for expeditious land acquisition, forestry and Wildlife clearances and for resolving other issues pertaining to projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1574 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Change in Schedule of Services
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Thomas Chazhikadan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1574 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2021

## CHANGE IN SCHEDULE OF SERVICES

## 1574. SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether as part of changes in the time table, the Railways has any plans to change the schedule of services of the following trains:-

I. 16381/16382 -Mumbai CST - Kanyakumari Express

II. 12507/12508 -Thiruvananthapuram-Silchar Express

III. 12515/12516 -Thiruvananthapuram-Silchar Express

IV. 22659/22660 - Kochuveli-Dehradun Express

V. 12483/12484 Kochuveli-Amritsar Jn Express;

- (b) if so, the details thereof and reasons for such changes;
- (c)  whether  the  existing  schedule  is  likely  to  be  retained  considering  the difficulties to passengers, especially from Kerala, on account of the proposed
- changes; and
- (d) if so, the details of directions issued in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND CONSUMER

## AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

- (a)    to  (d)  Indian  Railways  has  discontinued  all  regular  passenger  carrying trains  w.e.f    23.03.2020    to  contain  the  spread  of  COVID-19  pandemic  and presently only special trains are being operated keeping in view the concerns and suggestions of State Governments.

As a part of time table rationalization exercise and speeding up of trains, it has been decided to change the  timings of  16381/16382 Mumbai- Kanniyakumari Express, 12507/12508 Thiruvananthapuram-Silchar Aronai Express, 12515/12516  Thiruvananthapuram-Silchar  Express,  22659/22660  Kochuveli  Dehradun Express and 12483/12484 Kochuveli-Amritsar Express. It is operationally not expedient to reverse the change in timings.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1573 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-10
Subject: Setting up of Solar Panels Plants
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Uday Pratap Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1573 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2021

## SETTING UP OF SOLAR PANELS PLANTS

†1573. SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to State:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes/has  any  proposal  to set  up  solar  panels/plants  on  a  large  scale  at  all  the railway stations of Madhya  Pradesh which will be capable  of  generating  electricity  through  wind  besides solar energy;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the funds allocated and utilised in respect of the said scheme; and
- (d) the time limit fixed for setting up of solar panels/plants?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND

CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  1573  BY  SHRI  UDAY  PRATAP SINGH  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  10.02.2021 REGARDING SETTING UP OF SOLAR PANELS PLANTS

(a) and (b) Indian Railways (IR) provides solar plants at Railway stations based on the technical feasibility and viability. Action has  been  taken  to  provide  major  stations  of  Madhya  Pradesh State with solar panels/plants. Till date, 79 number of feasible stations have already been provided with solar panels/plants in the State of Madhya Pradesh. Presently, there is no proposal to set  up  hybrid  wind/solar  plants  which  will  be  capable  of generating electricity through wind, besides solar energy. Further, IR has plans to progressively provide solar panels/plants  at  other  feasible  Railway  stations  of  Madhya Pradesh.

(c) Most of the works are being done under developer mode by private partners, in which Railways do not have to incur capital expenditure.

(d)  The  timeline  for  setting  up  of  solar  plants  would  depend upon the individual plant capacity, location and clearance from the State authorities.

*****