opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 1732 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Launch of Aditya L1
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Balashowry Vallabbhaneni, Thirumaa Valavan Thol

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1732

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023

## LAUNCH OF ADITYA L1

## 1732.  SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI: SHRI THIRUMAAVALAVAN THOL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Aditya-L1 will shape the next phase of India's space forays, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  extent  to  which  Aditya-L1  is  going  to  be  able  to  study Solar's corona, solar activity and space weather;
- (c) the extent to which Indian Institutes of Astrophysics is playing its role in achieving the objectives of Aditya-L1;
- (d) whether Aditya-L1 has been successfully launched, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether Aditya-L1 is in its planned trajectory and
- (f) if so, the time by which Aditya-L1 is expected to reach the Langrange Point 1?

## ANSWER GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

****

## (a)

## & (b)

Yes Sir. Aditya L1 is set to become India's first space-based mission dedicated to studying the Sun. The spacecraft will be positioned  in  a  halo  orbit  encircling  Lagrange  point  1  (L1) 1.5 million  kilo  meter  away  from  Earth.  This  will  provide  an uninterrupted  view  of  the  Sun,  and  hence,  will  enhance  our within the Sun-Earth system, situated approximately ability to monitor solar activities.

The spacecraft is equipped with seven (07) payloads designed to observe various layers of the Sun, including the photosphere, chromosphere,  and  the  outermost  layer,  the  corona.  These observations  are  made  possible  through  a  combination  of electro-magnetic particle, and magnetic field detectors. Positioned at the advantageous L1 point, four of the payloads directly observe the Sun, while the remaining three conduct insitu studies of particles and fields at Lagrange point L1.

The  Aditya  L1  payloads  are  anticipated  to  yield  vital  insights into  key  solar  phenomena,  such  as  coronal  heating,  coronal mass  ejections,  pre-flare  and  flare  activities,  as  well  as  the characteristics  and  dynamics  of  space  weather.  Additionally, the  studies  will  contribute  to  a  deeper  understanding  of  the propagation of particles and fields in space.

- (c) The  Indian  Institute  of  Astrophysics  (IIA),  Bangalore,  has developed,  with  the  support  of  the  ISRO  centres,  the  Visible Emission  Line  Coronagraph  (VELC)  payload  for  the  Aditya-L1 mission, which is meant to study the solar corona, by imaging and spectroscopic techniques. (d) Yes Sir. The Aditya-L1 spacecraft has been successfully launched on September 2, 2023, onboard PSLV-C57. The vehicle has placed the satellite precisely into its intended orbit. (e) Yes Sir. Aditya-L1 is in its planned trajectory. Aditya-L1  is  expected  to  reach  the  Sun-Earth  L1  point  in  the
- ****
- (f) first half of January, 2024.
Lok Sabha Question No. 1731 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Rail Connectivity to Pilgrimage Places
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1731 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## RAIL CONNECTIVITY TO PILGRIMAGE PLACES

† 1731.  SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Union Government proposes to take necessary steps to connect the world famous mazar of Madarshah located at Makanpur and Naimisharanya pilgrimage places under Misrikh Parliamentary Constituency in Uttar Prdesh with the Tirath Railway;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c) Misrikh Tirath and Naimisharanya stations, both located on the Sitapur-Balamau  section,  are  presently  being  served  by  02  pairs  of Passenger Specials. Similarly, Araul Makanpur, located on the RawatpurFarrukhabad  section,  is  being  served  by  04  pairs  of  Passenger  Special and 01 pair of Mail/Express services. Besides, introduction of new train service(s) is an ongoing process, on Indian Railways, subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1728 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Online Real Money Games
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Margani Bharat, Chinta Anuradha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1728

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## ONLINE REAL MONEY GAMES

## 1728.   SHRI MARGANI BHARAT: SHRIMATI CHINTA ANURADHA:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

(a)whether the Government has taken cognizanceof the fact that 'Online Real Money Games' havebecome extremely popular especially among the youthleading to increased instances of betting fraud applications and illegal advertising and if so, thedetails thereof;

(b)  the  details  of  the  extent  to  which  recentamendments  to  Information  Technology (IntermediaryGuidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules,2021 and related advisories have been able to achievetheir intended purpose;

- (c) whether the Government has planned furtherinterventions in the area;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, thereasons therefor; and

(e) the manner in which the Union and StateGovernments can cooperate better to safeguard common people from Betting, gambling and theirincidental negative effects in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR)

(a) to (e): The policies of the Government are aimed at ensuring that the Internet in India is open,safe,trusted and accountable to all users. With regard to the risk to users from online games, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) was allocated the matters related to online gaming  on  23rd  December,  2022  through  amendments  to  the  Government  of  India (Allocation of Business) Rules, 1961. The policy of the Government in respect of the online gaming  sector  is  aimed  at  putting  in  place  adequate  checks  and  balances  and  safeguards against the risks of harms. Further, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory, advising the print and electronic media to refrain from publishing advertisements of  online  betting  platforms,  and  online  and  social  media,  including  online  advertisement intermediaries  and  publishers,  not  to  display  such  advertisements  in  India  or  target  such advertisements  towards  Indian  audience.  The  Ministry  has  also  issued  an  advisory  to  all private  satellite  television  channels  on  'Advertisements  on  Online  Games,  Fantasy  Sports, etc.',  advising  all  broadcasters  that  the  guidelines  issued  by  the  Advertising  Standards Council of India be complied with and that the advertisements broadcast on television adhere to the same.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1722 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Increasing of Railway Connectivity
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1722 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## INCREASING OF RAILWAY CONNECTIVITY

1722. SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  Government  plans  to  start  the Tatanagar-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  proposed  route  for  the train,  trains  presently  available  for  the  said  route,  the  expected passenger traffic and the projected timeline;
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether the Government aims to increase railway connectivity in Garhwa, Lohardaga, Latehar and Daltenganj Aspirational Districts via stoppages in these districts of the said train;
- (e)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to (f) As on 6 th  December, 2023, 68 Chair Car variants of Vande Bharat train services are running across Broad Gauge  (B.G.) electrified  network  of  Indian  Railways.  Besides,  introduction  of Vande Bharat services and their stoppages are ongoing processes on Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification, resource availability, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1721 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Completion of Chandrayaan-3 Project
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Sunil Dattatray Tatkare

- (a) & (b)

Yes  Sir.  India's  third  mission  to  Moon  -  Chandrayaan-3  was successfully  launched  at  14:35  hrs  on  14 th   July,  2023  from

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1721 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2023 COMPLETION OF CHANDRAYAAN-3 PROJECT

## 1721.  SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  ISRO  has  successfully  completed  the project Chandrayaan-3;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the Government  is  planning to utilize ISRO  as a facilitator for other countries to provide launch facility and other space programmes; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

****

Sriharikota  on  LVM-3  launch  vehicle.  The  Chandrayaan-3  lander successfully accomplished soft landing on 23 rd  August, 2023 and subsequently the Rover was deployed. All the scientific instruments,  onboard  the  lander  and  rover,  have  collected  data, which is being studied. All the mission objectives of Chandrayaan3 mission have been successfully accomplished.

## (c) & (d)

Yes Sir. Launch Services to other countries are offered onboard ISRO Launch  Vehicles on a commercial  basis through the M/s.  NewSpace  India  Limited  (NSIL)  -  the  Central  Public  Sector Enterprise under Department of Space.

Further, ISRO also engages in joint development of satellites with foreign space agencies and launching the same. Recent examples include  the  India-Bhutan  Satellite  (launched  in  2022)  and  other upcoming  ones  viz.  the  NASA-ISRO  Synthetic  Aperture  Radar (NISAR) satellite and TRISHNA (Thermal InfRared Imaging Satellite for High Resolution Natural Resource Assessment) being developed with CNES.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1720 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: PLI for Traditional Handloom and Handicrafts Sectors
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Rajmohan Unnithan

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1720 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## PLI FOR TRADITIONAL HANDLOOM AND HANDICRAFTS SECTORS

## 1720. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंत्री be pleased to state :

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to implement Production Linked Incentives (PLI) programme to continue the traditional occupation of Handloom and Handicrafts Sector; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

उत्तर

## ANSWER

## वस्त्र राज्  य मंत्री ( श्रीमती दर्शना जरदोर् )

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SMT. DARSHANA JARDOSH)

- (a) & (b): PLI for textile sector under implementation focuses on promoting production of  Man-made  Fibre  (MMF)  apparel,  MMF  fabric  and  products  of  technical  textiles.  The objective of the scheme is to increase scale and size of productions, make the textile industry globally competitive and generate employment opportunities.

Handloom and Handicraft sectors are provided comprehensive support under the following schemes across the country:

1. National Handloom Development Programme;
2. Raw Material Supply Scheme;
3. National Handicraft Development Programme;
4. Comprehensive Handicrafts Cluster Development Scheme;

Under  the  above  schemes,  financial  assistance  is  provided  for  raw  materials,  purchase  of looms,  accessories  and  toolkits,  design  innovation,  product  diversification,  infrastructure development,  marketing  of  handloom  and  handicraft  products  in  domestic  and  overseas markets, loans at concessional rates, etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1719 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Representation of OBCs
Ministry: PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS
Asked by: Manickam Tagore B

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS (DEPARTMENT OF PERSONNEL & TRAINING)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1719

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023)

## REPRESENTATION OF OBCs

## 1719. SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to provide 27 per cent reservation to OBCs in all groups of promotions in Government services and public sector undertakings including banks; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES AND PENSIONS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) & (b):   In pursuance of the provisions contained in Article 16 (4) of the Constitution and the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Indira Sawhney, reservation to OBCs is provided @ 27% in civil posts and services to be filled through direct recruitment on All India Basis by Open  Competition.  As  per  the  information  provided  by  various  Ministries/Departments, including  their  attached/subordinate  offices,  the  representation  of  OBCs  against  the  total appointment through direct recruitment is more than 27%.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1717 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Requirement of Steel
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Omprakash Bhupalsinh alias Pawan Rajenimbalkar, Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1717

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## REQUIREMENT OF STEEL

†1717.SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAWAN RAJENIMBALKAR : SHRI SANJAY JADHAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

- (a) the quantity of steel required for Railway for the year 2022-23;
- (b) whether the steel related demand  of  Railways has been met by the SAIL;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether Railways has procured steel for the current year and if so, the details thereof, company/location-wise;
- (e) whether import of additional steel is required to meet the said demand and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether any efforts have been made by the Railways in this regard; and
- (g) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d) The steel requirement of Railways for year 2022-23 was 13.05 Lakh MT and that for current year  is about 15 lakh MT . Entire requirement of Rail is met by M/s SAIL whereas steel used for other purpose  is  being  procured  from  indigenous  sources  through  open tender as per Public Procurement Policy of GOI.

- (e)
- No, Sir.
- (f) & (g) Do not arise.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 1716 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Mobile Manufacturing Companies
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Gaddam Ranjith Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1716 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## MOBILE MANUFACTURING COMPANIES

## 1716.   DR. G. RANJITH REDDY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) the  reasons  that  mobile  handset  manufacturing  companies  in  India,  such  as  Oppo,  Vivo, Xiaomi, Realme and Oneplus are evading  customs duty and violating  concerned  Indian laws in mobile manufacturing;

(b) the reasons that every company, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, etc., is evading customs duty every year since 2019-20 in spite of taking action against them during previous years;

(c) whether the Government issues them strong warning that their manufacturing licence would be withdrawn if they don't follow laws of India; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) to (d) The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance is investigating the evasion of custom duties by certain mobile manufacturing companies in accordance with the provisions of Customs Act, 1962 and Rules thereof.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1714 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Draft Bills for Tea and Spices
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Gautham Sigamani Pon

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE)

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1714 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13/12/2023

## DRAFT BILLS FOR TEA AND SPICES

## 1714.   DR. PON GAUTHAM SIGAMANI:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE & INDUSTRY ( वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री ) be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that the Government held discussions with stakeholders to finalize draft bills for tea and spices;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether  it  is  also  true  that  the  ongoing  schemes  shall  continue  with  financial allocations for plantation commodities, however, the revised schemes are under consideration by the Government, if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the schemes would address the issues faced by the sectors and give thrust to value addition of the commodities; and

(e) if so the details thereof?

## ANSWER

okf.kT; ,oa m|ksx ea=ky; esa jkT; ea=h ¼Jherh vuqfiz;k iVsy½

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (SMT. ANUPRIYA PATEL)

(a) to (b): Yes, the draft 'Tea (Promotion and Development) Bill' and 'Spices (Promotion and Development) Bill'  were  placed in the public domain/website of  the Department of Commerce and Boards for 3 months from 10.01.2022 to 09.04.2022 for seeking comments/suggestions from  stakeholders  including  State  Governments,  associations,  organizations  and  general public. Further, Inter-Ministerial Consultations have also been carried out for the above two draft bills.

(c) to (e): Plantation Commodity Boards viz. Tea Board, Coffee Board, Rubber Board and Spices Board are implementing schemes namely 'Tea Development and Promotion Scheme', 'Integrated Coffee Development Project', 'Sustainable and inclusive development of Natural

Rubber  Sector'  and  'Integrated  Scheme  for  Export  Promotion  &  Quality  Improvement  in Spices and Research & Development of Cardamom' respectively, which are currently ongoing.

The  revised  schemes,  which  are  being  proposed  include,  inter-alia,  activities  for improvement in production, productivity, quality upgradation, research, promotion of export, brand  promotion  etc  through  provisions  of  financial  and  technical  assistance  through  the Boards  to  stakeholders  of  respective  sectors.  The  proposed  schemes  also  include  specific programmes for value addition such as assistance for setting up of blending and packaging units for value addition of tea, support to coffee curing works & roasting and grinding units, technological and infrastructural interventions for processing of spices etc.  The consultation process for finalising the proposed schemes has been completed.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1712 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Aspirational Blocks Programme in Odisha
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Rajiv Ranjan (Lalan) Singh, Santosh Kumar, Dinesh Chandra Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1712 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY TO GRAM PANCHAYATS

## †1712. SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH: SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR: SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the objective of providing Broadband connectivity to the Gram Panchayats in Bihar under the BharatNet Project has been achieved;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the time by which the said project is likely to be completed?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) to (c) Under BharatNet Phase-I&II, more than 2 lakh Gram Panchayats (GPs) have been made service ready during the last ten years, including all 8,340 GPs in Bihar State. Recently, the government has amended the BharatNet Program to cover all the inhabited villages at an outlay of Rs. 1.88 Lakhs crores as follows:

- i) Upgradation of existing BharatNet network.
2. ii) Focus  on  utilization  of  the  network  through  BharatNet  Udyamis  i.e.  village  level entrepreneurs.
3. iii) Operation and Maintenance of the entire network through professional agencies for ten years.
4. iv) Dedicated Network Operation centre.
- v) Expanding scope to connect all inhabited villages.
6. vi) To provide 1.5 crore home fibre connections.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 1710 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Dedicated Freight Corridors
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shivkumar Chanabasappa Udasi, Ranjeetsingh Naik Nimbalkar, Bidyut Baran Mahato, Saikia Dilip, Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya, S. Jagathrakshakan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1710

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## DEDICATED FREIGHT CORRIDORS

1710.  SHRI SHIVAKUMAR C. UDASI:

SHRI RANJEETSINGH NAIK NIMBALKAR:

SHRI BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO:

SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA:

SHRI S. JAGATHRAKSHAKAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  progress  and  status  of  the  work  on  all  Dedicated  Freight Corridors (DFCs);
- (b) whether the Government agrees with the view that effective use of DFCs will help reduce logistics costs and accelerate the development of new industrial hubs;
- (c) if so, the details of the steps that are proposed to be taken by the Government  to  establish  a  network  of  DFCs  keeping  in  mind  that  the DFCs are not only an alternative to roads and the Indian Railways, but also complement the existing modes of freight transport;
- (d) the  present  status  and  the  details  of  expenditure  incurred  since 2014 along with the comparative statement of 2014 and 2023; and
- (e) the benefits that are likely to accrue to the whole logistics sector and Railways on account of the same?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (e)  :  Ministry  of  Railways  has  taken  up  construction  of  two Dedicated   Freight   Corridors  (DFCs)  viz.  Eastern   Dedicated   Freight

Corridor (EDFC) from Ludhiana to Sonnagar (1337 Km) and the Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal (JNPT)  to  Dadri  (1506  Km).  Construction  of  EDFC  has  been  fully completed and 1176 KM out of 1506 KM of WDFC has been completed.

The construction of Dedicated Freight Corridors will reduce the logistic cost,  leading  to  development  of  new  industrial  hubs  and  Gati  Shakti Cargo Terminals.

The comparative statement showing expenditure incurred and commissioning of DFCs in 2014 and in 2023 is as under:-

| Year                 | Cumulative Expenditure (₹ In Cr)   | DFCs commissioned   |
|----------------------|------------------------------------|---------------------|
| 2014(March,2014)     | 10,357                             | Nil                 |
| 2023 (Till Oct,2023) | 1,08,558                           | 2513 Km             |

*****