Lok Sabha Question No. 202 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-12-07
Subject: Bullet Train in Rajasthan
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Chandra Prakash Joshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.  202 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.12.2022

## BULLET TRAIN IN RAJASTHAN

† 202.    SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH JOSHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  and  the  length  in  kilometers  of  new  railway  tracks developed by the  Railways  in  the  State  of  Rajasthan  during  the  last three years;
- (b) the details of ambitious projects being undertaken by Railways for providing connectivity of Rajasthan to the other cities in the coming years;
- (c)  whether  the  Railways  has  any  plan  to  introduce  bullet  train  in Rajasthan; and
- (d) 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.  202  BY  SHRI  CHANDRA  PRAKASH JOSHI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.12.2022 REGARDING BULLET TRAIN IN RAJASTHAN

(a)  and  (b)  :  Indian  Railways  projects  are  sanctioned  zonal  railwaywise,  not  state-wise  as  Indian  Railways'  projects  may  span  across various State boundaries.

During the last three years, i.e. from Financial Year 2019-20 to 202122,  805.72  km  sections  (96.42  km  new  line,  422.07  km  doubling  and 287.23 km gauge conversion) falling fully/partly in Rajasthan have been commissioned.

Various  cities  of  Rajasthan  are  already  connected  with  Indian Railways network.  For further improving rail connectivity of cities of Rajasthan  with  other  cities  of  India,  28  projects  (11  new  lines,  05 gauge conversion and 12 doubling), costing ` 59,271 crore for 5,069 km length  falling  fully/partly  in  Rajasthan  are  under  different  stages  of planning/approval/execution. Out of which, 1,195 km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of ` 11,207 crore has been incurred upto March 2022.  These include:

-  11 New Line Projects covering a length of 1,228 km at a cost of ` 16,942 crore, out of which 107 km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of ` 2,695 crore has been incurred upto March 2022.

-  05 Gauge Conversion Projects covering a length of 1,319 km at a cost  of ` 12,690  crore,  out  of  which  654  km  length  has  been commissioned  and  an  expenditure  of ` 3,652  crore  has  been incurred upto March 2022.
-  12 Doubling Projects covering a length of 2,522 km at a cost of ` 29,639 crore, out of which 434 km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of ` 4,860 crore has been incurred upto March 2022.

Rajasthan is covered by Northern Railway, North Central Railway, North  Western  Railway,  West  Central  Railway  and  Western  Railway Zones  of  Indian  Railways.    Zone  wise  details  of  Railway  projects, including  cost,  expenditure  and  outlay  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 Book (year)>Railway-wise  Works,  Machinery  and  Rolling  Stock  Programme

Board Directorates> Finance (Budget)> Rail Budget/Pink (RSP).

Since 2014, there is substantial increase in Budget allocation for infrastructure  projects  and  commensurate  commissioning.  Average annual Budget allocation on infrastructure projects and safety works,

falling fully/partly in Rajasthan during 2014-19 has been increased to ` 2951 crore per year from ` 682 crore per year during 2009-14. Thus, the average  annual  Budget  allocation  during  2014-19  is  333%  more  than average  annual  allocation  of  2009-14.    Budget  allocation  for  these projects in 2019-20 has been increased to ` 4,686 crore (587% more than  average  annual  budget  allocation  of  2009-14), ` 4,582  crore  in financial year 2020-21 (572% more than average annual Budget outlay of 2009-14) and ` 6006 crore in financial year 2021-22 (781% more than average  annual  budget  outlay  during  2009-14).    Highest  ever  Budget outlay  of ` 7565  crore  has  been  provided  for  these  projects  for financial  year  2022-23  which  is  1009%  more  than  average  annual budget outlay during 2009-14.

During  2014-22,  2322  km  sections  (176  km  New  line,  771  km Gauge  conversion  and  1375  km  Doubling),  falling  fully/partly  in  the state  of    Rajasthan,  have  been  commissioned  at  an  average  rate  of 290.25 km  per year, which is 82%  more  than  average annual commissioning achieved during 2009-14 (159.60 Km/year).

(c) and (d) :  No, Sir. At present, Mumbai Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR)  project  (508  Km)  is  the  only  sanctioned  High  Speed  Rail (HSR)  project  in  the  country  which  is  under  execution  with  the financial and technical assistance from Government of Japan. Further, Survey for a High Speed Rail Corridor between Delhi and Ahmedabad passing through the State of Rajasthan is underway.

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