opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 3667 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-10
Subject: Restrictions on Polavaram Project
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Pocha Brahmananda Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3667

## ANSWERED ON 10.08.2023

## RESTRICTIONS ON POLAVARAM PROJECT

## 3667.   SHRI POCHA BRAHMANANDA REDDY

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether any component wise restrictions are being imposed in the Polavaram Irrigation Project;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons for the same;

(c) whether it is true that as a general principle, the expenditure for national projects is considered as a whole without any component wise restrictions;

(d) if so, the reasons for imposing component wise restrictions in the Polavaram Irrigation Project which is also a national project;

(e)  whether  it  is  also  true  that  Rs.  905.51  crore  of  expenditure  on  the  said  project  has  been  rejected  for reimbursement as it has gone beyond componentwise restrictions; and

(f) if so, the steps taken by the Government to clear this expenditure given that cost escalations are a natural consequence of delay in execution?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

(a) to (d) Polavaram  Irrigation  Project  (PIP)  was  declared  as  a  national  project  under  the  Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act, 2014. As per Ministry of Finance OM dated 30.09.2016, Government of India has been reimbursing the expenditure on balance irrigation component of PIP with effect from 01.04.2014, upon receipt of verified bills and recommendations from the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) and Central Water Commission (CWC).

To facilitate simultaneous progress on all major components of the project, it was considered prudent to recognize the component-wise ceilings prescribed by the Revised Cost Committee for PIP, as a  special case beyond the norms of funding for national project.  However, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, has vide Office Memorandum dated 05.06.2023, communicated no objection to the request of this Ministry to remove component-wise ceiling.

(e) & (f) In  view  of  the  expected  cost  escalation,  component-wise  ceiling  has  been  relaxed  by  this Ministry, to the extent required and recommended by PPA and CWC. As a result, an additional amount of Rs.  550.97  crore,  for  which  the  bills  were  found  to  be  otherwise  eligible  for  reimbursement  but  kept  in abeyance due to component-wise restriction, have been now reimbursed by Government of India. Further, as mentioned above, Ministry of Finance has also conveyed its no objection for removal of component-wise ceiling for reimbursements for the project.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3664 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-10
Subject: High Toll Charges
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3664 ANSWERED ON 10TH AUGUST, 2023

## HIGH TOLL CHARGES

3664. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  noticed  the  protests  against  high  toll charges levied by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to reduce the increased toll charges; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  No,  Sir.  No  protest  against  high  toll  charges  levied  by  National Highways Authority of India has been observed.
- (b) to (c) No, Sir. User fee is levied at fee plazas on National Highways in accordance with fee rates specified in National Highways Fee (Determination  of  Rates  and  Collection)  Rules,  2008  or  in  respective Concession Agreement, if applicable. The fee is revised every year as per the provision in said rules/Concession Agreement.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3663 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-10
Subject: Bharatmala Project Phase-1
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Guman Singh Damor

be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  projects  sanctioned  under  Bharatmala  Project  Phase-1 including costs and targets thereunder;
- (b) the total length of roads proposed to be constructed under this project;
- (c) the current status of the road construction work under the Project;
- (d) the  time  by  which  the  Bharatmala  Project  Phase-2  is  likely  to  be implemented;
- (e) whether all the district headquarters would be connected with four-lane under this project and if so, the details thereof;
- (f) the details of the road routes proposed to be included under this project;
- (g) the number of ropeway projects sanctioned during the last financial year 2022-23 and 2023-24 (upto 30 June) under the Parvatmala Project along with the costs involved and the time by which the projects are likely to be completed; and
- (h) whether the distance criteria has been fixed to setup the toll plazas on National Highways and State Highways and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3663 ANSWERED ON 10 TH  AUGUST 2023

## BHARATMALA PROJECT PHASE-1

## 3663. SHRI GUMAN SINGH DAMOR:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

(a) to (c) Development of 34,800 km length of National Highways is approved under Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-1. National Highway (NH) works of about 26,384 km length have been awarded for construction having total capital cost of  Rs.  8.24  lakh  crore,  out  of  which  about  14,300  km  have  already  been constructed.  The projects under Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-1 are targeted for completion by Financial Year (FY) 2027-28.

(d) to (f) There is no approved scheme as Bharatmala Pariyojana Phase-2 so far.

- (g)       04 no. of ropeway projects have been sanctioned since the FY 2022-23 under the Parvatmala Project. The details of the same are as under:

|   Sr. No. | Project Name   |   Total Capital Cost (in Rs. Crores) | Completion Target   |
|-----------|----------------|--------------------------------------|---------------------|
|         1 | Varanasi       |                               815.58 | June' 25            |
|         2 | Kedarnath      |                              1267.45 | Mar'28              |
|         3 | Hemkund Sahib  |                              1162.92 | Mar'28              |
|         4 | Dhosi Hill     |                                50.61 | Sep'25              |

(h)        Yes  sir.  The  distance  criteria  for  location  of  fee  plazas  on  National Highways is governed as per Rule 8 of NH Fee Rules 2008. Further, the distance criteria for location of fee plazas on State Highways is beyond the purview of this Ministry.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3659 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-10
Subject: Floods in Punjab
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Harsimrat Kaur Badal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3659

## ANSWERED ON 10.08.2023

## FLOODS IN PUNJAB

## 3659. SHRIMATI HARSIMRAT KAUR BADA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  one  of  the  major  reasons  for  floods  in  Punjab  is  due  to excessive silting of river Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Ghaggar and Chakki;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether it is true that the amount of gravel and sand available on the river beds is fifteen times the annual consumption of Punjab, as Stated in a report by Department of Mines and Geology,

Government of Punjab in 2020;

(d) whether it is also true that the Government had approved the allocation of 78 sites with 274.22 LMT (lakh metric tonnes) of sand/gravel to mining contractors in 2020;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the progress achieved so far; and

(f) whether the Government has any proposal to formulate policies for systematic desilting of rivers in Punjab that contain approximately 7000 LMT of sediments and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

(a) & (b) As  informed  by  Government  of  Punjab,  the  main  reason  for  the  floods  in  Punjab  during second week of July this year was incessant rainfall leading to heavy discharge in river Sutlej and river Ghaggar. On the specific dates of 09.07.2023 and 10.07.2023, the actual rainfall in Punjab state exceeded 50% of the average rainfall typically recorded for the entire month of July. This unusual volume of rain resulted in a discharge that surpassed 3 lakh cusecs in the River Sutlej and nearly 2 lakh cusecs in the River Ghaggar, which is categorized as a High Flood Level.

(c)  to  (e) Yes  Madam.  As  per  assessment  done  by  Drainage  Wing  of  Water  Resources  Department, Government  of  Punjab,  the  quantity  of  sand  and  gravel  is  15  times  the  annual  sand  and  gravel consumption of the State. The Government of Punjab had approved the allocation of 78 sites with 274.22 LMT (Lakh Metric Tonnes) of sand and gravel to mining contractors in the year 2020 and Agreements of 58 sites  were  executed  with  the  mining  contractors  and  167.57  LMT  quantity  of  sand  and  gravel  was extracted till the completion of contracts.

(f) The  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti   has  formulated  'National  Framework  for  Sediment  Management (October,  2022)'  for  managing  sediments  in  a  holistic  manner.   It  provides  reference  of  all  existing guidelines/policies dealing with the various aspects of the sediment management. The Framework will facilitate the concerned State Governments in planning strategies and implementation of projects giving due consideration to environment and ecology.
Lok Sabha Question No. 3658 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-10
Subject: Construction Work of NH-39
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Riti Pathak

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT & HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3658

ANSWERED ON 10 TH  AUGUST, 2023

## CONSTRUCTION WORK OF NH-39

## 3658. SHRIMATI RITI PATHAK:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  main  reason  for  the  non-completion  of  work  of  the  NH-39 between Sidhi and Singrauli during the last eleven years;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  action  taken  against  the  designated/concerned agencies for not completing the work of the said Highway on time;
- (c) whether the Government has shortage of resources to complete the said National Highway and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of the accidents caused due to the obstruction and bad condition of the road;
- (e) the provisions made by the Government to prevent such accidents; and
- (f)  whether the NH-39 is likely to be completed by the end of the year 2023 and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a)  to  (f)  The  stretch  of  Sidhi  -Singrauli  was  entrusted  to  state  Govt  of Madhya Pradesh vide  Gazette  notification  S.O.796(E)  dated  01.04.2008 and  thereafter  responsibility  for  its  development  was  handed  over  to Madhya  Pradesh  Road  Development  Corporation  Ltd.  (MPRDCL)  vide

MORTH letter dated 08.09.2009. The work of 4- laning of Sidhi- Singrouli Road (NH-39) was awarded to M/s Gammon Infra Ltd. on Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) mode. The Concession Agreement for  the  said  work  was  signed  on  14.05.2012  and  the  appointed  date /commencement date of the project was 19.09.2013. The contract was terminated on concessionaire's default on 13.08.2020. The balance work on Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Mode was awarded to  M/s  Tirupati  Build-Con  Pvt.  Ltd.,  Shahdol  on  28.06.2021  and  the Agreement was signed on 30.07.2021. The appointed date was declared on 08.10.2021 with schedule date of completion was 01.04.2023. As per the information provided by MPRDCL, the physical progress of the work is 27 % and work is behind scheduled due to delay in land acquisition, covid pandemic and slow progress by the contractor. Out of total  project  length  of  105  km,  four  laning  in  45  km  up  to  Dense

Bituminous Macadam (DBM) level have been completed.

Further, as per the information provided by MPRDCL, no accident has been reported to have occurred due to obstruction or bad condition of  the  road.  During  construction  of  the  project  highway,  all  necessary precaution and safety measures are being taken by the EPC Contractor as  per  provisions  of  the  Agreement.  The  Contractor  is  responsible  to maintain the existing road motorable to avoid accidents. Now scheduled date of completion is 31.12.2023.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3654 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-10
Subject: Direct Flights from Gulf Countries
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 3654

(To be answered on the 10 th  August 2023)

## DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM GULF COUNTRIES

## 3654. SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government would consider the operations of non-stop direct flights from Gulf countries to Amritsar under bilateral treaties considering lack of interest shown by Indian operators to operate flights to these countries despite rising demands and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Union Government can allot air traffic rights (point of call) to Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, if airlines from these countries have shown keen active interest in starting non-stop flights to Amritsar and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

- (a) and (b) Currently, Amritsar has direct international operations to/from Birmingham, Doha, Dubai, Kuala lumpur, London Gatwick, Milan, Sharjah and Singapore. Both Indian carriers (Air India, Air India Express, Indigo and Spicejet) and foreign carriers (Malindo, Neos S.P.A, Qatar Airways and Scoot airlines) are operating from Amritsar airport.

Currently, due to significant imbalance in the number of points of call in favour of foreign carriers, the Government of India does not grant any nonmetro city as a new point of call to any foreign carrier.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 3652 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-10
Subject: GOBARdhan Scheme in Haryana
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Sunita Duggal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER AND SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3652

ANSWERED ON-10.08.2023

## GOBARdhan Scheme in Haryana

## 3652. SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  the  total  financial  assistance  given  by  the  Government  under  GOBARdhan  Scheme  to eligible Gram Panchayats in the State of Haryana, district-wise;

(b) whether the Government proposes to extend the coverage of scheme to Gram Panchayats which have availed funds under Solid and Liquid Waste Management (SLWM) component under SBM(G) and if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  extend  the  coverage  of  scheme  to  individual households in villages and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether the Government has estimates of the energy produced using the cattle waste under this scheme and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the number of Biogas/CBG plants established/ under construction in the Sirsa Parliamentary Constituency?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE OF JAL SHAKTI

## (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (c) Galvanising Organic Bio-Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan), launched in 2018 under Swachh Bharat Mission-Grameen (SBM-G), is an integral component of bio-degradable waste management under SBM-G Ph-II for ensuring cleanliness in villages by converting organic/ biodegradable waste including cattle dung, crop residue, market waste etc. into biogas and bioslurry. Financial assistance of up to Rs 50 lakh per district is available for setting up of model GOBARdhan projects for the entire programme period i.e.2020-21 to 2024-25. Accordingly, up to Rs.11.00 crore can be spent by the state of Haryana for GOBARdhan biogas plants during the programme period. Funds for GOBARdhan are not released separately but are to be utilised from the funds released to States for implementation of SBM-G.

For  model  GOBARdhan  projects,  the  district  should  preferably  take  up  community  level projects  at  locations  where  uninterrupted  supply  of  organic  wastes  is  assured,  to  make  the project  sustainable  in  the  long  run  as  well  as  to  promote  business  models.  As  on  date,  as reported by the State, there are 6 completed plants and 5 under construction plants in Haryana which are  funded under SBM-G. Financial assistance for individual household level biogas plants is not available under SBM(G) but can be funded under MGNREGA, MNRE scheme etc.

(d) As  reported  by  the  States/UTs,  there  are  more  than  640  completed  GOBARdhan projects under SBM-G  with the capacity to produce more than 26,500 cubic metre of biogas per day.

(e) As reported  on  the  unified  registration  portal  of  GOBARdhan,  one  biogas  plant  of capacity 400 cubic metre per day is under construction in the Sirsa Parliamentary Constituency. One CBG plant to be located in Sirsa, Haryana has also registered itself on the portal but it is yet to start construction.

***
Lok Sabha Question No. 3651 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-10
Subject: Bioethanol Projects under PM JI-VAN Yojana
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Brijendra Singh

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 3651

TO BE ANSWERED ON 10 th August, 2023

## BIOETHANOL PROJECTS UNDER PM JI-VAN YOJANA

3651. SHRI BRIJENDRA SINGH :

## पेोिलयम और ाकृितक गैस मंी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  2G  Bioethanol  Projects  set  up  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Jaiv  IndhanVatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran (PM JI-VAN) Yojana;
- (b)  the quantum of funds released and utilised under the project during the last three years;
- (c)    whether  the  projects  under  the  PM  JI-VAN  Yojana  have  reduced  India's  import dependence by substituting fossil fuels with biofuels; and
- (d)  if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

पेोिलयम और ाकृितक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ( ी रामेर तेली )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a)  to  (d):    To  facilitate  production  of  ethanol,  Government  in  March,  2019  had  notified  the 'Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN (Jaiv Indhan - Vatavaran Anukool fasal awashesh Nivaran) Yojana' for  providing  financial  support  for  setting  up  Second  Generation  (2G)  ethanol  projects  in  the country using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstock. The total financial outlay for the scheme  is Rs. 1969.50  crore for the period from  2018-19  to 2023-24. Since commencement of PM JI-VAN Yojana, Rs. 880 crore have been approved to the following 2G projects:

|   Sl. No. | Entities                                  | Project Type   |   Approved Financial Assistance (Rs. in Crores) |
|-----------|-------------------------------------------|----------------|-------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | IndianOil Corporation Ltd.                | Commercial     |                                             150 |
|         2 | Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.         | Commercial     |                                             150 |
|         3 | Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd.      | Commercial     |                                             150 |
|         4 | Numaligarh Refineries Limited             | Commercial     |                                             150 |
|         5 | Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd | Commercial     |                                             100 |
|         6 | Shell India Markets Pvt Ltd.              | Commercial     |                                             150 |
|         7 | IndianOil Corporation Ltd.                | Demonstration  |                                              15 |
|         8 | Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd       | Demonstration  |                                              15 |

The above mentioned projects for ethanol production have been envisaged to increase ethanol availability  for  Ethanol  Blending  Petrol  Programme  in  the  country  consequently  reducing dependency on import of fossil fuel.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 3644 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-10
Subject: Garbage Free Status
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Manoj Kishorbhai Kotak

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3644 TO BE ANSWERED ON AUGUST 10, 2023 GARBAGE FREE STATUS TO CITIES

## NO. 3644.  SHRI MANOJ KOTAK:

Will  the  Minister  for  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  be  pleased  to state:

- (a) whether the Government has launched Swachh Bharat Mission (SBMU)  2.0  on  October  1,  2021  with  a  vision  of  achieving  garbage  free status  for  all  cities  through  hundred  per  cent  source  segregation, door to door collection and scientific management of all fractions of waste and garbage;
- (b) if so, the status of the garbage free metropolitan cities of the country including Mumbai;
- (c) whether the Government is aware of improper garbage management in various cities and towns of the country; and
- if  so,  the  initiatives  being  taken  by  the  Government  to  address  the

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE)

(a) & (b) : Swachh Bharat Mission - Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 has been launched on October 1, 2021 for a period of five years with a vision of scientific solid waste management, sustainable sanitation. The SBM-U 2.0 is being implemented  in  the  country  through  State  Governments  and  Union Territory (UT) Administrations in all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) including Metropolitan Cities and Mumbai. The action plans including the projects prepared  by the ULBs  as  approved  by  the  State Level Technical Committee (SLTC) are received at Government of India for approval and release of Central Share (CS) funds.

Under  SBM-U  2.0  emphasis  is  being  given  on  million  plus  cities including  Metropolitan  cities  and  Mumbai  to  manage  their  Solid  waste with  upgradation  into  waste  to  energy  and  help  them  achieve  100% saturation within the mission period.

- (d) problem?

(c)  &  (d)  :  Sanitation  is  a  State  subject  under  7 th   schedule  of  the constitution. It is the responsibility of  State/ULBs  to  plan,  design, execute, operate and maintain sanitation projects in the urban areas of the  country.  To  supplement  the  efforts  of  the  ULBs/States/UTs  in  this regard, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs  (MoHUA)  has  been facilitating through financial and technical support.

The progress made in Solid Waste Management (SWM) and sanitation  by  the  States/UTs  under  SBM-U  is  regularly  assessed  by  3rd party verification through annual 'Swachh Survekshan' survey. In addition, annual 3 rd  party Open Defecation Free (ODF) and Garbage Free City  (GFC)  certification  is  also  being  taken  up.  Central  teams  conduct field visits, State review and regular capacity building programmes. Also, Centre  of  Excellence  has  been  established  to  promote  peer-to-peer learning.

*****