Lok Sabha Question No. 2671 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-04
Subject: Doubling/electrification of Railway Projects in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Midhun Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2671 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.08.2021

## DOUBLING/ELECTRIFICATION OF RAILWAY PROJECTS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

2671. SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to State :

- (a)  the  current  progress  of  the  doubling  and  electrification  of railway projects in Andhra Pradesh;
- (b)  the  details  of  allocation  and  utilization  of  funds  under  these projects till date; and
- (c) whether steps have been undertaken to reduce further delay in these projects and if so, details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(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.2671 BY SHRI P.V. MIDHUN REDDY TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  04.08.2021  REGARDING DOUBLING/ELECTRIFICATION OF RAILWAY PROJECTS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

(a) to (c) Railway projects are sanctioned/executed Zonal Railway wise not State wise as Indian Railways network spans across various state boundaries, However, as on 01.04.2021, 17 Doubling projects of total length 3789 km costing ₹ 41,061 crore falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of  Andhra  Pradesh  are  under different stages of planning/approval/execution, out of which 402 km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of ₹ 10,937 crore  has  been  incurred  upto  March  2021.  Under  Plan  Head Electrification, 3 projects covering a length of 1,134 km at a cost of ₹ 1,313 crore falling fully/partly in the State of Andhra Pradesh are under different stages of Planning/Execution, out of which 93 km length has been commissioned and  an expenditure of ₹ 320 crore has been incurred upto March 2021.

Andhra Pradesh is  covered  by  Southern  Railway,  South  Central Railway, South Western Railway and East Coast Railway. Zonal Railway  wise  details  of  projects  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.

Average annual budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in the State of Andhra Pradesh, during 2014-19 has increased to ₹ 2830 crore  per year from ₹ 886 crore  per  year  during  2009-14.  Thus,  an  increase  of  219%  over the average annual budget allocation of 2009-14. Budget allotment  for  these  projects   for  financial  year  2019-20  was ₹ 3885 crore, which is 338% more than  average annual budget outlay  during  2009-14  ( ₹ 886  crore/year).  Budget  allocation  of ₹ 4910 crore  has  been  provided  for  these  projects  for  Financial Year  2020-21,which  is  454%  more  than  average  annual  Budget outlay  for  2009-14.  For  financial  year  2021-22  highest  ever budget  outlay  of ₹ 5812  crore  has  been  provided  for  these projects, which is 556% more than average annual outlay during 2009-14.

During 2014-21, 731Km section (319 km of New line and 412 km of Doubling projects) have been commissioned in the state at an average  rate104.43  km  per  year,  which  is  44%  more  than commissioning during 2009-14( 42.6 Km/Yr.)

The completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors like quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by  officials  of  forest  department,  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. Nevertheless, every effort is being made to execute the projects expeditiously.

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 on priority projects (iii) delegation of powers  at  field level (iv) close monitoring of progress of project at various levels, and (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.

*****