Lok Sabha Question No. 2812 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: High Speed Passenger Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Hemant Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2812

TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

HIGH SPEED PASSENGER TRAINS

†2812. SHRI HEMANT SRIRAM PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposes to start Vande Bharat trains in  various  railway  divisions  falling  under  Marathwada  region  in Maharashtra;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  decided  to  conduct  feasibility study for any railway station in Kerala for upgradation of engineering  and  station  infrastructure  for  high  speed  passenger trains; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2812 BY SHRI HEMANT SRIRAM PATIL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.12.2023 REGARDING HIGH SPEED PASSENGER TRAINS

(a) to  (d)    As  the  Railway  network  straddles  across  State/Regional boundaries, train services including Vande Bharat are introduced, as per network requirement, across such boundaries. Besides, introduction of new  Vande  Bharat  train  services  is  an  ongoing  process  over  Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, etc.

Ministry  of  Railways  has  recently  launched  a  Scheme  of  'Amrit  Bharat Station'  for  development  of  Stations  on  Indian  Railways.  This  scheme envisages  development  of  stations  on  a  continuous  basis  with  a  long term  approach.  The  scheme  involves  preparation  of  Master  Plans  and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like  improvement  of  station  access,  circulating  areas,  waiting  halls, toilets,  lift/escalators  as  necessary,  cleanliness,  free  WiFi,  kiosks  for local  products through  schemes  like 'One Station One Product", better passenger  information  systems,  executive  lounges,  nominated  spaces for business meetings, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each such station.

The  scheme  also  envisages  improvement  of  building,  integrating  the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for 'Divyangjans'  sustainable  and  environment  friendly  solutions,  provision of  ballast  less  tracks,  'Roof  Plazas'  as  per  necessity  phasing  and feasibility  and  creation  of  city  centers  at  the  station  in  the  long  term.

Total 1309 stations have been selected under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme  which  includes  35  stations  is  in  Kerala  namely  Alappuzha, Angadippuram, Angamali For Kaladi, Chalakudi, Changanassery, Chengannur, Chirayinikil, Ernakulam, Ernakulam Town, Ettumanur, Ferok, Guruvayur, Kasargod, Kayankulam, Kollam, Kozhikode, Kuttippuram,  Mavelikara,  Neyyatinkara,  Nilambur  Road,  Ottappalam, Parappanangadi, Payyanur, Punalur, Shoranur Jn., Thalassery, Thiruvananthapuram,  Thrisur,  Tirur,  Tiruvalla,  Tripunithura,  Vadakara, Varkala, Wadakancheri, Kannur.

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