opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 192 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Setting up of Airport at Ramnad
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Kani K. Navas

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 192 (To be answered on the 2 nd  February 2023)

## SETTING UP OF AIRPORT AT RAMNAD

## 192. SHRI K. NAVASKANI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Union Government proposes to set up an airport in Ramnad district in Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether setting up of the said airport in the district would boost the economy and tourism and if so, the details thereof; and (c) the time by which the said airport is likely to be set up?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

- (a) to (c): Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)- Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik (UDAN) on 21.10.2016. UDAN is a demand-driven  scheme.  The  selection  of  airlines  is  made  through  a transparent  bidding  process.

Ramnad Airport, owned by the Ministry of Defence (Navy) was identified in the 3rd round of bidding under the UDAN scheme for the development and to operate flights. As per the provisions of the Scheme document, the State Government has to provide minimum land, as required for operationalisation of  Ramnad  Airport,  free  of  cost  and  free  from  encumbrances  for revival/development  of  the  UDAN  airport.

UDAN route connecting Ramnad to Chennai has been awarded to the Selected Airline Operator on 14.12.2022 under UDAN 4.2 round of bidding. Selected Airline Operators (SAOs) under UDAN are obligated to commence the flight operations on a route within a period of 180 days from the issuance of Letter of Award or within two months from the readiness of airport, whichever is later, unless any extension is granted by the Implementing Agency.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 190 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Flights for Pilgrims
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Achyutananda Samanta

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 190

(To be answered on the 2 nd  February 2023)

## FLIGHTS FOR PILGRIMS

## 190. SHRI ACHYUTANANDA SAMANTA

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Government proposes to connect Bhubaneswar with Shirdi and Deoghar through direct flight since the State is frequented by pilgrims from both the States and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and

- (b) the time by which the Government proposes to start the service?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

- (a) & (b): After repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation market has been deregulated. Consequently, airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type for selecting whatever markets and network they wish to service and operate with compliance of Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDGs) issued by Government across the country. Thus, it is up to the airlines to provide air services to/from any airport in country depending on their operational and commercial viabilities.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 188 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Construction of Roads
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Ramesh Bidhuri

be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  role  of  private players in the construction of roads in the country;

(b) if so, the details and objectives thereof; and

(c) whether any target/timeline has been fixed for its implementation and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to  (c)  The  Government  intends  to  increase  the  role  of  private players in construction of roads in the country as a continuous process.

NHAI is also executing its majority of projects in Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM) with 60% share of private participation. Efforts are being made to achieve atleast 10% target to execute projects on BOT (Toll) mode in NHAI.

NHAI  is  also  monetizing  the  assets  on  Toll  Operate  Transfer (TOT)/Infrastructure Investment  Trust  (InvIT) which  were  built  on EPC/HAM/Annuity, thereby attracting private investments in these modes (TOT/InvIT).

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 188 ANSWERED ON 02 nd  FEBRUARY, 2023

## CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS

188. SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 187 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Pothireddypadu Head Regulator Expansion Project
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Uttam Kumar Nalamada Reddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI,

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 187

ANSWERED ON 02.02.2023

## POTHIREDDYPADU HEAD REGULATOR EXPANSION PROJECT 187. SHRI UTTAM KUMAR REDDY NALAMADA

- Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state: (a)  whether  the  Government  of  Andhra  Pradesh  has  started  work  on  the  Pothireddypadu  head regulator expansion project and if so, the details thereof, including the date of commencement and cost of the project; (b) the present water drawing capacity from Pothireddypadu and the estimated capacity after the expansion work is completed; (c) the date by which the said work is expected to be completed; (d) the details of the agencies involved in the execution of the project, the funds paid to them by
- the State Government and the funds still owed to them; and
- (e)  whether  any  Government  PSU  or  autonomous/  semi-autonomous  body  is  funding  the Pothireddypadu expansion work and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

( SHRI BISHWESWAR TUDU )

- (a), (c), (d) & (e) As informed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, no work has been taken up on the Pothireddypadu head regulator expansion project.
- (b) As  informed  by  the  State  Government,  the  present  water  drawing  capacity  through Pothireddypadu is less than the design discharge capacity of 44,000 cusecs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 186 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Research Institute for Green Fuels
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Mahabali Singh

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 186

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 2 nd  FEBRUARY2023

## Research Institute for Green Fuels

## †186. SHRI MAHABALI SINGH:

## पेोलयम और ाक ृतक गैस मंी

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

(a) whether the Government proposes to establish any Research Institute for Biogas, Bio-diesel and Solar Energy in the country including Bihar;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) the funds earmarked and sanctioned for the said purpose?

## ANSWER

## पेोलयम और ाक ृतक गैस मंालय म राय मंी ( ी रामेवर तेल )

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

- (a)  to(c)  Currently  following  institutions  are  operating  under  Department  of  Science  and Technology  (DST)  and  Ministry  of  New  and  Renewable  Energy  (MNRE)  for  research  and development in Solar and Bio Energy field:
- (i) DST-IITM Solar Energy Harnessing Centre at Indian Institute of Technology Madras,Tamil Naduwith sanctioned cost of Rs. 39.73crore.
- (ii)  DST-IIEST  Solar  PV  Hub at Indian  Institute  of  Engineering  Science and  Technology, Shibpur, West Bengal under DST with sanctioned cost of Rs. 26.21 crore
- (iii) National Institute of Solar Energy, Gurugram, Haryana under MNRE with Budget Estimate (BE) of Rs. 16.00 crore for FY 2022-23.
- (iv)  SardarSwaran  Singh  National  Institute  of  Bio  Energy,  Kapurthala,  Punjab  under  MNRE with Budget Estimate (BE) of Rs. 7.00 crore for FY 2022-23.

Presently, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas does not have any proposal to establish any Research Institute for Biogas, Bio-diesel and Solar Energy in the country including Bihar.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 183 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Initiatives to Check Airfare
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Thomas Chazhikadan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 183 (To be answered on the 2 nd  February 2023)

## INITIATIVES TO CHECK AIRFARE

## 183. SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

- (a) & (b): After repeal of the Air Corporation Act in March 1994, the Indian domestic aviation market has been deregulated. Consequently, airlines are free to induct capacity with any aircraft type for selecting whatever markets and network they wish to service and operate with compliance of Route Dispersal Guidelines (RDGs) issued by Government across the country. Thus, it is up to the airlines to provide air services to/from any airport in country depending on their operational and commercial viabilities.
- (c) & (d): After deregulation of airline sector, the airfare is market driven and is neither established nor regulated by the Government. Air ticket prices generally vary depending upon the market forces. Airline pricing runs in multiple levels {buckets or Reservation Booking Designator (RBDs)} which are in line with the practice being followed globally. Due to dynamic fare pricing, the tickets bought in advance are much cheaper than those purchased near the date of travel.

The airlines are free to fix reasonable tariffs under the provisions of sub-rule (1) of Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 having regard to all relevant factors, including cost of operation, characteristics of services, reasonable

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government proposes to direct/ instruct airlines to increase their frequency to avoid an increase in air-fares during the holidays;
- (b) if so, the details of the proposal;
- (c) whether the Government has taken/proposes to take any other measures to curb/check the rise in airfare; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

profit and the generally prevailing tariff. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has a Tariff Monitoring Unit that monitors airfares on certain routes on monthly basis to ensure that the airlines do not charge airfares outside a range declared by them. The airlines are compliant to the Sub Rule (2) of Rule 135 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937 as long as fare charged by them is in line with fare displayed on their website.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 182 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Fuel Cost vs Operating Cost
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Naranbhai Bhikhabhai Kachhadiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## Lok Sabha

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 182

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  2nd February 2023 )

## FUEL COST VS OPERATING COST

## 182.    SHRI NARANBHAI KACHHADIYA

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

## be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  fuel  cost  as  a percentage  of  operating  charges  amounts  to  45  per  cent  in  the country as compared to the global average of 30 per cent;
- (b) if so, the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to depreciate/check the prices of fuel without affecting its consumption; and
- (c)  whether  the  Government  has  initiated  any  plan  to  lower  the central  as  well  as  State  taxes  in  the  transaction  cost  of  aviation sector and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## Minister of State in the Ministry of (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

## CIVIL  AVIATION

- (a) The operating costs of airlines are dynamic and their individual components  vary  in  response  to  multiple  factors  which  include, inter  alia,  price  of  Aviation  Turbine  Fuel  (ATF)  in  international markets, foreign exchange rates, duties and taxes etc. In the case of scheduled Indian operators, the percentage share of aircraft fuel and oil expenses has been around 40% of total operating expenses.
- (b)  and  (c):  Prices  of  Aviation  Turbine  Fuel  (ATF)  have  been  made market determined by the Government with effect from 01.04.2001. Since then, the Public Sector Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) take appropriate  decision  on  pricing  of  ATF  in  line  with  international product prices and other market  conditions.  Government  has consistently  engaged  in  consultations  with  Airlines  and  OMCs  on

the issue of ATF pricing. Taking cognizance of the high value added tax (VAT) on ATF levied by States, the issue was taken up with the States/ Union Territories. As a result, VAT on ATF has been reduced by 17 States/ UTs whose details are as below:; ; (I) States which have reduced VAT on ATF in the range of 1-4%:

```
(i) Andaman & Nicobar Islands; (ii) Uttarakhand; (iii) Jammu & Kashmir; (iv) Ladakh; (v) Himachal Pradesh; (vi) Tripura; (vii) Madhya Pradesh; (viii) Haryana; (ix) Uttar Pradesh; (x) Dadra and Nagar Haveli & Daman and Diu; (xi) Arunachal Pradesh; (xii) Manipur; (xiii) Jharkhand; (xiv) Mizoram ; ; (II) Other States which have reduced VAT on ATF: ; (xv) Gujarat - From 30% to 5% (xvi) Goa - From 18% to 8% (xvii) Karnataka - From 28% to 18%
```

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 181 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Shortage of AMEs
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 181

(To be answered on the 2 nd  February 2023)

## SHORTAGE OF AMES

## 181. SHRI MANISH TEWARI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether there is a shortage of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) in the country and if so, the details thereof including the number of AMEs currently employed by the industry;
- (b) the details of the number of AME licences granted against the number of applications from April, 2020 to January 31, 2023;
- (c) whether the Government is aware of recent aircraft malfunction incidents involving any Indian airlines and if so, the details thereof and a list of the number of each such aircraft incident from 01.01.2022 to 16.01.2023;
- (d) the details of the classification of these occurrences involving Indian carriers into accidents, serious incidents and incidents from 01.01.2022 to 17.01.2023; and (e) the details of the investigations undertaken regarding these occurrences and their time frame of completion?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

- (a) & (b) No sir, there is no shortage of Aircraft Maintenance Engineers (AMEs) in India. A total of 878 applications have been received from April 2020 to 27.01.2023 for the issuance of Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (AME) licenses, out of which 793 AME licenses have been issued and 85 applications have been rejected due to non-compliance of  Rule  61  of  the  Aircraft  Rules,  1937  and  Civil  Aviation Requirement (CAR) 66.
- (c) to (e) During the period from 01.01.2022 to 16.01.2023, a total of 14 occurrences, due to malfunction of the aircraft systems/components have occurred which have been  classified  as  01  accident,  06  serious  incidents  and  07  incidents.  The occurrences classified as accidents and serious incidents are investigated by Aircraft  Accident  and  Investigation  Bureau  (AAIB)  under  the  Aircraft (Investigation  of  Accidents  &  Incidents)  Rules,  2017  while  the  occurrences classified  as  incidents  are  investigated  by  DGCA.

The actual time required for investigation of incidents depends on the complexity of each case, however, the efforts are made to complete the investigation within six months. The time frame of the investigation of accidents and serious incidents depends upon the scope of investigation and varies from investigation to investigation. As on date, investigations in respect of two occurrences of accidents and serious incidents have been  completed  and  reports  published  on  AAIB  website  on  the  link, https://aaib.gov.in/#.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 179 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Growth of Aviation Sector
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dileshwar Kamait

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 179

(To be answered on the 2 nd  February 2023)

## GROWTH OF AVIATION SECTOR

## 179. SHRI DILESHWAR KAMAIT

## Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of the growth rate registered in the aviation sector during the last four years in the country;
- (b) whether any district of Bihar has been included for construction of airports under the UDAN scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether necessary steps have been taken by the Government to include Supaul district of Bihar under the said scheme; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof along with other steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to meet the growing demand in the aviation sector in future?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

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

- (a): The aviation sector in India has been affected adversely due to COVID-19 which resulted in airlines suffering financial losses and drop in passenger traffic. However, the situation is now improving as witnessed by rebound in air travellers. As per the information provided by the Scheduled Indian Carriers, the total number of passengers carried in scheduled domestic and scheduled international operations for 2019-20 to 2022-23 (provisional) is as per Annexure-I.
- (b) to (c): Darbhanga airport in Bihar has been identified and operationalized under UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik). Birpur Airstrip situated in Supaul District is  owned by the State Government of Bihar and figures in the tentative list of unserved airports in the UDAN Scheme Document. However, none of the airlines have submitted any proposal to operate RCS flights from Birpur, so far. In case, any airline submits a valid bid connecting Birpur Airstrip, the same will be considered as per the provisions of the UDAN Scheme.

(d): The Government has planned to develop one hundred airports by 2024 to support UDAN scheme and operationalise 1000 RCS routes during the currency  of  the  Scheme.  Selected  Airline  Operators  (SAOs)  have operationalised 459 UDAN routes involving 72 Airports/Heliports/Water Aerodromes across the country as on 30.01.2023. UDAN is an ongoing scheme where  bidding  rounds  are  conducted  periodically  for  covering  more destinations/stations  and  routes  under  the  scheme.

Upgradation/ Modernisation of airports is a continuous process and is undertaken  by  Airports  Authority  of  India  (AAI)  and  other  Airport Operators  from  time  to  time  depending  on  the  availability  of  land, commercial viability,  socio-economic  considerations,  traffic  demand  / willingness of airlines to operate to/from such airports. AAI and other Airport Operators have targeted capital outlay of approximately Rs. 98,000 crore in the airport sector across India in the next five years for expansion and modification of existing terminals, new terminals and strengthening of runways, among other activities.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 177 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Outer Ring Road in Hyderabad
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Nama Nageswara Rao

## be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of Hyderabad regional outer ring road project;
- (b) the time by which the said project is likely to be completed;
- (c) whether  the  cost  of  the  land  for  the  purpose  is  borne  by  the  Union Government like similar projects in other States; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 177

ANSWERED ON 2 ND  FEBRUARY, 2023

## OUTER RING ROAD IN HYDERABAD

## 177.  SHRI NAMA NAGESWARA RAO:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (d)  Hyderabad Regional Outer Ring Road Project has two components namely Northern part and Southern part.
- (i)  Northern  Part  :  Sangareddy  -  Narsapur-  Toopran-  Gajwel  -  Pragnapur -Jagdevpur -Bhongir -Choutuppal;

The  project  is  included  under  Bharatmala  Phase-I  with  undertaking  and willingness from the State Government of Telangana for bearing the cost of shifting  of  obstructing  utilities  and  sharing  50%  of  the  land  acquisition  (LA) cost.

Alignment and Land Acquisition Plan stands approved. Matter has been taken up with State Government to come up with firm proposal and proper mechanism to deposit 50% share of LA cost so that 3D notification could be taken up.

Timelines for taking up the project shall depend upon the response of State Government in depositing  the  committed  50%  share  of  the  land  acquisition cost.

(ii) Southern Part: Choutuppal- Shadnagar -Sangareddy;

The work of preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been taken up. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 174 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Targets under PMAY
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Anubhav Mohanty

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 174 TO BE ANSWERED ON FEBRUARY 02, 2023

## TARGETS UNDER PMAY

## NO. 174. SHRI ANUBHAV MOHANTY:

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

- whether the Pradhan Mantri Awas   Yojana (PMAY) aimed to provide affordable housing to the urban poor with a target of building two crore affordable houses by 31 March, 2022;
- (b) if so, the status report on this initiative;
- (c) the details of homelessness, in percentage terms, eradicated due to this initiative; and
- (d) whether the Government has any proposal to increase the unit cost under the PMAY-Urban and if SO, the details thereof? ANSWER

## AND URBAN AFFAIRS

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

(a) to (c) Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has been implementing Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U) under for AII' Mission since June, 2015 by giving Central assistance to implementing agencies through Statesl Union Territories (UTs) for providing all-weather pucca houses with basic civic amenities to all eligible urban beneficiaries. PMAY-U is a demand driven scheme and Government of India has not fixed any target for construction of houses:

Statesl UTs have undertaken demand survey under PMAY-U for assessing actual demand of housing and  reported a demand of 112.24 Iakh houses during 2017-18. However, during implementation phase, some more people became eligible and they were also under the schemeBased on the project proposals submitted by Statesl UTs as on 31.03.2022, a total of 122.69 lakh houses were sanctioned under PMAY-U.

Out of the sanctioned houses, 107.55 Iakh have been grounded for construction; of which 68.02 Iakh are completedl delivered to beneficiariesCentral assistance of 3 2.03 Iakh crore has been approved under the scheme; out of which { 1.36 Iakh crore has been The scheme period has been extended up with existing funding pattern and implementation methodology to complete the houses sanctioned till 31.03.2022.

d) SirAt present, no such proposal is under consideration of the Government No,

*****