Lok Sabha Question No. 3336 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Restoration of Rail Lines
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: S. Ramalingam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3336 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## RESTORATION OF RAIL LINES

## 3336.  SHRI RAMALINGAM S.:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to restore the railway line between Mayiladuthurai to Tharangambadi which is a tourist attraction  site  and  is  of  archaeological  significance,  if  so,  the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether any survey has been conducted and funds allocated with respect to restoration/construction of this railway line, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has intended to restore the railway line which  was  abandoned  30  years  ago  for  the  reason  of  gauge conversion;
- (d) if so, the present status of connecting line from Peralam side with all platforms at Mayiladuthurai;
- (e) whether  MEMU  type  of  trains  will  be  replaced  for  the  existing short distance train operated with conventional DEMU Coaches in Trichy Division, if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) whether the Government has any proposal to establish a bye pass line  to  connect  Peralam  Line  with  Kumbakonam  Line  without entering  Mayiladuthurai  Jn.,  if  so,  current  status  thereof  and  if not, the reasons therefor?

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  3336  BY  SHRI  RAMALINGAM  S.  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 09.08.2023  REGARDING RESTORATION OF RAIL LINES

(a) to (f): Survey for New line between Mayiladuthurai and Karaikal via Tharangambadi (47.32 Km) was completed in 2006-07. However, as per request  of  Government  of  Puducherry,  the  line  between  Peralam  and Karaikal (23 Km)  at a cost of ` 373.42 crore was  preferred  and sanctioned. The new line work between Karaikal and Peralam has been taken up for execution.

Zone-wise details of all Railway Surveys 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)  >Budget  Document  (Financial  Year)/ Railway wise breakup of the Detailed Demands for Grants Financial Year (Part II) Demand No.85.

Platform 1 and 2 at Mayiladuthurai are already connected from line on Peralam side and work for connecting Platform 3 from line on Peralam side has been taken up.  Platform 4 and 5 are connected from line on Thanjavur side.

Replacement of DEMU rakes by MEMU rakes is an on-going process on Indian Railways including Trichy Division of Southern Railway subject to operational feasibility and availability of resources.

Sanctioning of Railway projects over Indian Railways is a continuous  and  dynamic  process.  Railway  Infrastructure  Projects  are taken  up  on  the  basis  of  remunerativeness,  last  mile  connectivity, missing links and alternate routes, augmentation of congested/saturated lines,  socio-economic  considerations  etc.  depending  upon  liabilities  of ongoing projects, overall availability of funds and competing demands. Presently,  there  is  no  such  proposal  under  consideration  for bye  pass  line  to  connect  Peralam  line  with  Kumbakonam  line  without entering at Mayiladuthurai Junction.

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