Lok Sabha Question No. 2360 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-15
Subject: Railway Projects in Kerala
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: K. Muraleedharan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2360 TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.03.2023

## RAILWAY PROJECTS IN KERALA

## 2360. SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of railway projects sanctioned during the Budget 202324 for Railway infrastructure in Kerala;
- (b) whether  the  Railways  has  taken  any  action  on  reconsidering Nemom coaching terminal project;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government has any plans to introduce Vande Bharat Trains for Kerala; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

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. 2360 BY SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  15.03.2023  REGARDING  RAILWAY PROJECTS IN KERALA

(a):     Railway projects are sanctioned and taken up Zonal Railway-wise and  not  State-wise  as  the  Indian  Railways'  projects  may  span  across various State boundaries.

Zone-wise details of all 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.

Since 2014, there has been substantial increase in fund allocation for New Line, Gauge Conversion and Doubling Projects and commensurate  commissioning  of  Projects  in  Indian  Railways.  The Average  Annual  Budget  allocation  for  these  works  during  2014-19 increased to ` 950 crore per year from ` 372 crore per year during 2009 14 (155% more than average annual budget allocation during 2009-14). The Annual Budget allocation increased to ` 667 crore in Financial Year 2019-20 (79% more than average annual budget allocation during 200914), ` 688 crore in Financial Year 2020-21 (85% more than the Average Annual Budget allocation during 2009-14) and ` 1,866 crore in Financial year 2021-22 (402% more than average annual budget allocation during 2009-14). For Financial Year 2022-23, budget outlay of ` 1,085 crore has been provided for these works, which is 192% more than average annual budget outlay of 2009-14.

During 2014-22, 107 Km sections (29 Km Gauge conversion and 78 Km  Doubling)  falling fully/partly in the  State  of  Kerala  has  been commissioned at an average rate of 13.38 Km per year, which is 26.23% more than commissioning during 2009-14.

(b)  &  (c):        A  comprehensive  study  has  been  conducted  by  Southern Railway  for  requirement  of  Coaching  Terminal  in  Thiruvananthapuram area to take care of present and future traffic in this area.  The Study report  has  been  submitted  by  Southern  Railway.    The  decisions  to augment infrastructure will be done once comprehensive study report is examined and result thereon is firmed up.

(d) & (e): Indian  Railways do not operate train services on State-wise basis as the railway network straddles across State boundaries. However, introduction of train services including Vande Bharat Express is an ongoing  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to operational feasibility, resource availability, traffic justification etc.

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