Lok Sabha Question No. 236 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Extension of Metro Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Rachna Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.236

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## EXTENSION OF METRO LINE

## *236. SMT. RACHNA BANERJEE:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received representations/ requests from local bodies, peoples representatives requesting for extension of Metro line from Howrah  to Chuchura in Eastern Railway;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  consider  the  requests for  extension  of  the  line  in  view  of  horrible  situation  of  the railway passengers in this section due to dangerous overcrowding with increased population in the last decades;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof; and
- (e)  the  action  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  in  this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING 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  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 236 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

(a)  to  (e):  Proposals/suggestions/representations,  both  formal  and informal including those from Hon'ble Members of Parliament, Ministers  of  Central  Government,  elected  representatives,  Railways' own  requirements,  organizations/rail  users  etc.    are  received  at various levels of Railway Administration viz. Division, Zonal Headquarter and Railway Board's level for introduction of new trains, extension of existing trains, provision of stoppages, new lines, Gauge conversion,  Doubling,  Road  Over  Bridges/Road  Under  Bridges  etc.,  a compendium  of  which is not maintained. However,  these are examined and action as found feasible and justified is taken from time to time.

Railway  projects  are  surveyed/sanctioned/executed  Zonal  Railway wise  and  not  State-wise  as  the  Railways'  projects  may  span  across State  boundaries.  Railway  projects  are  sanctioned  on  the  basis  of remunerativeness,  traffic  projections,  last  mile  connectivity,  missing links and alternate routes, augmentation of congested/saturated lines, demands raised by State Governments, Central Ministries, Members of Parliament,  other  public  representatives,  Railway's  own  operational requirement, socio-economic considerations etc. depending upon throw forward of ongoing projects and overall availability of funds.

Presently, Chuchura is an existing station of Indian Railway Network situated on Howrah - Bandel Jn main line having 3 to 5 tracks.

Metro project in Kolkata started in 1972. Since then 66 km metro line has been constructed as given below:

| Period                   | Metro Constructed in and around Kolkata   | Expenditure   |
|--------------------------|-------------------------------------------|---------------|
| 1972 to 2014 ( 42 years) | 28 km                                     | Rs 5981 Cr    |
| 2014 to 2024 ( 10 years) | 38 km                                     | Rs 23050 Cr   |

Presently, 59 km metro is under construction in and around Kolkata. Out  of  which,  20  km  is  held  up  due  to  land  acquisition  and  utility shifting related issues as given below:

-  New  Barrackpore  -  Barasat  (7.5  Km)  is  held  up  due  to  land acquisition and encroachment issues.
-  Baranagar  -  Barrackpore  (12.5  Km)  is  held  up  due  to  pending utility  (water pipeline of Kolkata Municipal Corporation) shifting in the alignment.

Further, 6.65 Km metro from Salt lake Sector-V to Haldiram (Teghoria) is held up due to cost sharing consent from the State Government.

Support  of  the  State  Government  of  Bengal  is  required  for  land acquisition and other issues.

The completion of any Railway project depends on various factors like quick  land  acquisition  by  State  Government,  forest  clearance  by officials  of  forest  department,  deposition  of  cost  share  by  State Government  in  cost  sharing  projects,  priority  of  projects,  shifting  of infringing  utilities,  statutory  clearances  from  various  authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area of project(s) site, number of working months  in  a year for particular project site due to climatic conditions etc.

Various  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  speedy  approval  and implementation of Railway projects include (i) setting up of Gati Shakti units (ii) prioritisation of projects (iii) substantial increase in allocation of funds on priority projects (iv) delegation of powers at field level (v) close  monitoring  of  progress  of project at various levels, and (vi) 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.  This  has  led  to substantial increase in rate of commissioning since 2014.

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