Lok Sabha Question No. 3290 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Feroke-Angadippuram Railway Line Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: M. K. Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3290 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## FEROKE-ANGADIPPURAM RAILWAY LINE PROJECT

3290. SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  sanction  more  Vande Bharat trains to Kerala, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  Government  has  any  plans  to  consider  FerokeAngadippuram railway line project, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  is  considering  any  high  speed  railway connectivity  project  for  Kerala,  if  so,  the  complete  details  regarding the same;
- (d)  whether  any  steps  and  measures  are  being  taken  to  bring unconnected  regions  of  Kerala  under  railway  line,  if  so,  the  details regarding proposals under consideration of Railways; and
- (e) whether the Government has any plans to consider special trains to Kerala from various parts of India during Onam festival season, if so, the details regarding the same?

## 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.

STATEMENT REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3290  BY  SHRI  M.K.  RAGHAVAN  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  09.08.2023  REGARDING  FEROKEANGADIPPURAM RAILWAY LINE PROJECT (a) As on 3rd August, 2023, 50 Vande Bharat train services are running across  the  Indian  Railways,  connecting  States  having  Broad  Gauge (B.G.)  electrified  network.  These  include  02  Vande  Bharat  services which  are  catering  to  the  stations  located  in  the  State  of  Kerala. Moreover,  introduction  of  trains,  including  Vande  Bharat  services,  is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification, etc. (b) Ferok is connected to Angadipuram by Rail via Shoranur junction. However, a Survey for a new line between Kozhikode and Angadipuram via Malappuram (77 Km) was completed in 2009-10. The project could not be taken forward due to low traffic projections as per survey report. (c) Presently, Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail Project is the only sanctioned  High  Speed  Rail  Project  in  the  Country.  No  proposal  for High Speed Rail Project in the State of Kerala is under consideration of the  Government, at present. However, Semi-High Speed Project from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasargod has been identified for development in  the  State  of  Kerala  by  Kerala  Rail  Development  Corporation Limited(KRDCL), a joint venture company of the State Government of Kerala and Ministry of Railways.

(d)  New line projects are not sanctioned district-wise, region-wise or State-wise. Railway projects are taken up Zonal Railway-wise on the basis  of  remunerativeness,  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 throwforward  of  ongoing  projects  and  overall  availability  of  funds. Moreover,  during  last  03  years  (i.e.  Financial  Year  2020-21,  2021-22, 2022-23)   and  current  year  (i.e.  Financial  Year  2023-24),  total  03 surveys of total length 410 Km falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala have been sanctioned. (e)  To  meet  the  extra  rush  of  passengers  during  Onam,  22  trips  of special trains have already been notified. *****