Lok Sabha Question No. 244 (STARRED), answered on 2021-12-15
Subject: Rail Connectivity in Tribal Dominated Areas
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 244 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2021

## RAIL CONNECTIVITY IN TRIBAL DOMINATED AREAS

† * 244.  SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  tribal  dominated  district  headquarters  in  the country, especially in Maharashtra, that are yet to be connected with rail network;
- (b) whether the Union Government has taken/proposes to take steps to connect these tribal-dominated district headquarters with rail network;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## 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 STARRED QUESTION NO. 244  BY  SHRI  ASHOK  MAHADEORAO  NETE TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  15.12.2021  REGARDING  RAIL CONNECTIVITY IN TRIBAL DOMINATED AREAS

(a) to (d): The  Railway  projects  are  sanctioned  Zonal  Railway  wise and  not  State-wise,  District  wise  or  area  wise  as  the  Railways' projects may span across State boundaries. Sanction of new railway lines in areas which are not connected by Railway network including tribal dominated areas is a continuous and ongoing process of Indian Railways.

As on 01.04.2021, Indian Railways has taken up 187 New line projects of  21,037  km  length,  costing ` 4,05,916  crore,  which  are  in  various stages of planning/approval/execution, out of which commissioning of 2,621 km length has been achieved and expenditure of ` 1,05,591 crore has  been  incurred  upto  March,  2021.  These  new  line  projects  will provide  connectivity  to  areas  which  are  not  connected  with  Railway network including tribal dominated areas.

Most  of  the  tribal  dominated  district  headquarters  of  Maharashtra namely Nandurbar, Dhule, Nasik and Palghar are already connected on railway network.  Railway has also taken up Wadsa  - Gadchiroli new line  project  for  connecting  Gadchiroli,  which  is  one  of  the  tribal dominated district headquarter.

..P/2

As on 01.04.2021, 16 New Line Projects costing ` 49,221 crore for 2,017 km length falling fully/partly in Maharashtra are under different stages of planning/ approval/ execution, out of which 62 km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of ` 4,563 crore has been incurred upto March, 2021.

Details of all ongoing 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 Board Directorates >Finance (Budget) >Rail Budget/Pink Book (Year)> Railway wise Works Machinery and Rolling Stock Programme.

During 2014-21, 17720 km projects (3681 km of New Line, 4871 km of Gauge Conversion and 9168 km of Doubling) have been commissioned in  the  country  at  an  average  rate  2531.5  km  per  year,  which  is  66% more than average commissioning during 2009-14 (1520 km/year).

During  2014-21,  916  km  section  (87  km  New  Line,  136  km  Gauge Conversion  and  693  km  Doubling)  falling  fully/partly  in  the  State  of Maharashtra have been commissioned at an average rate 130.86 km per  year,  which  is  124%  more  than  average  annual  commissioning during 2009-14 (58.4 km/year).

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