opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 4122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Building New National Highways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Bhojraj Nag

be pleased to state:

- (a)     whether accidents have increased due to increasing transportation on National Highways in the country and whether Government  has  any  plan  to  widen  the  national  highways  and build new highways to prevent this;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  propose  new  National Highways to Pendri, Maharashtra via village Kevti-Pankhajpur PV 18 in Kanker Parliamentary Constituency?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  and  (b)     The  Government  in  Ministry  of  Road  Transport  and Highways publishes annual report on 'Road Accidents in India' based on data received from States/ UTs. As per the report for the year 2022, total  number  of  road  accidents  on  the  National  Highways  (NHs) including National Expressways from year 2018 to 2022 is given in the table below : -

| Year   | No. of Road Accidents   |
|--------|-------------------------|
| 2018   | 1,44,221                |
| 2019   | 1,41,057                |
| 2020*  | 1,19,615                |
| 2021*  | 1,28,825                |
| 2022   | 1,51,997                |

Development  and  maintenance  of  National  Highways  is  a  continuous process. Works on NHs, including their capacity augmentation to four/

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4122 ANSWERED ON 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2024 BUILDING NEW NATIONAL HIGHWAYS

4122.         SHRI BHOJRAJ NAG:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

six  /eight  lane  NHs  standards,  are   taken  up  based  on  the  traffic density,  condition  of  the  roads,  inter-se  priority  and  availability  of funds. (c) No  such proposal is under consideration with the Central Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4121 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Establishment of Hosur Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri K Gopinath

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4121

(To be answered on the 19 th  December 2024)

## ESTABLISHMENT OF HOSUR AIRPORT

## 4121. SHRI K GOPINATH

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  sanctioned  the  establishment  of  an International  Airport  at  Hosur; (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the details and status of the survey conducted by Airports Authority of India (AAI) for setting up of the said Airport?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (c): Government of India (GoI) has formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008 for development of new Greenfield airports in the country. As per the policy, if any Airport developer including the State Government desires to develop an airport, they are required to identify a suitable site and get the Pre-feasibility Study conducted for construction of airport and submit a proposal to the Central Government for 'Site Clearance' followed by 'InPrinciple' approval.

GoI has not received any proposal seeking its approval under Greenfield Airports Policy, 2008 for construction of a Greenfield Airport at Hosur, Tamil Nadu either from the State Government of Tamil Nadu or any Airport Developer.

However, on request of the State Government of Tamil Nadu, a multidisciplinary  team  of  AAI  and  Tamil  Nadu  Industrial  Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) officials visited Hosur in Krishnagiri District in September, 2024, to carry out a Pre-Feasibility study of four proposed sites. Interim report thereof has been sent to State Government.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4116 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Development of NH-744
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri N K Premachandran

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government proposed to complete the development of NH 744 in Kollam Lok Sabha Constituency in a time bound manner and if so, the details of action taken thereon;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  expedite  the  process  of  land acquisition;
- (c) if  so,  the details regarding the extend village and survey number of land in which acquisition process is completed;
- (d) the details regarding the extend and survey number of land in which 3a, 3A and 3D notification has been issued;
- (e) whether the State Government proposes to fix the compensation of buildings on the basis of its oldness and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (f) whether  the  Union  Government  consider  the  request  for  fixing  the compensation as per the norms applied for fixing compensation of NH 66 and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) the  details  regarding  the  action  taken  to  overcome  the  delay  in finalizing land acquisition compensation?

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. 4116

ANSWERED ON 19 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## DEVELOPMENT OF NH-744

## 4116. SHRI N K PREMACHANDRAN:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

(a)  to  (d)  The  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  involving  alignment  study, feasibility study, pre-construction activities (including assessment of Land Acquisition) for development of NH-744 Highway in the State of Kerala has been awarded. The award of civil construction work will be taken up after the completion of DPR, statutory clearances and pre-construction activities depending upon projected traffic, techno-economic viability and inter-se-priority. (e)  to  (g)  Land  acquisition  is  undertaken  in  accordance  with  National Highways  Act,  1956  and  provisions  of  Right  to  Fair  Compensation  and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013 as applicable.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Capacity of Bongaigaon Refinery in Assam
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Dilip Saikia

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4115 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 th  December, 2024

## Capacity of Bongaigaon Refinery in Assam

## 4115. SHRI DILIP SAIKIA:

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũी

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

(a) the details of objectives and targets of the proposed plan of the Government to pass new laws regarding exploration of offshore oil deposits;

(b)  the  manner  in  which  the  new  laws  are  likely  to  have  impact  on  the  areas  that  were previously designated as "No Go" zones for oil exploration;

(c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  the  capacity  of  Bongaigaon  Refinery  in Assam to 5 Million Metric Tonnes per Annum (MMTPA); and

(d)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  time  by  which  capacity  of  the  said  refinery  is likely to be increased?

## ANSWER

## पेट Ō ोिलयम और Ůाक ृ ितक गैस मंũालय मŐ राǛ मंũी ( ŵी सुरे श गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) and (b) Government has introduced Oilfields (Regulation and Development) Amendment Bill, 2024, with a view to increasing domestic production of oil & gas and reducing import dependence of the country. The objectives and targets of the Bill include, inter-alia, attracting investment in Exploration and Production sector to infuse necessary capital and technology, creating  an  investor  friendly  environment,  promoting  ease  of  doing  business,  ensuring stability,  addressing  energy  transition  issues,  providing  robust  enforcement  mechanism  for ensuring  compliance  with  provisions  of  the  Act,  aid  in  development  and  production  of  all types of hydrocarbons, etc. including in the blocks awarded in the previously designated 'NoGo' areas. Until September 2022, offshore area was restricted for Exploration and Production operation  with  'No-Go'  overlap  of  1,366,708  sq  km  (~57%  of  total  offshore  area). Government has reduced the 'No-Go' area to 24,832 sq km, thereby opening of up to ~99% of erstwhile No-Go area for exploration activities.

(c) & (d): Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) has carried out an initial feasibility study for  increasing  capacity  of  Bongaigaon  Refinery  from  existing  2.7  MMTPA  to  5.0  Million Metric Tonnes per Annum (MMTPA). Investment decision in this regard has not been taken so far.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4111 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Construction of Bypass on NH-709E in Loharu Town
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Dharambir Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4111 ANSWERED ON 19 TH  December, 2024

CONSTRUCTION OF BYPASS ON NH-709E IN LOHARU TOWN

4111.  SHRI DHARAMBIR SINGH:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether approval has been granted for constructing a bypass on NH-709E in Loharu Town, specifically connecting the Loharu-Pilani Road and Loharu-Surajgarh Road, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that major towns like Lohani, Jui, and Dhinga, which frequently face traffic congestion and daily road accidents, have not been included in the bypass plan, if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  will  consider  approving  bypasses  for these towns on priority to ensure smoother traffic flow and improve road safety in the region, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (c) The Government has taken up  preparation of Detailed Project  Report  (DPR)   for  construction  of  bypasses  on   NH-709 (Extension)  for  towns  of  Loharu,  Lohani,  Jui,  Dhigawa  etc.  through award of consultancy services.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4109 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Selection of Greenfield Cities
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Sasikanth Senthil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK   SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4109 TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 19, 2024

## SELECTION OF GREENFIELD CITIES

NO. 4109.

SHRI SASIKANTH SENTHIL:

Will the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government  has selected the eight Greenfield cities recommended by the 16th Finance Commission in 2021, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure the utilisation of the grant before the deadline up to March 31, 2026;
- (c) the  details  of  the  challenges  faced  by  the  Government  during  the
- selection process of these Greenfield cities; and
- (d) whether  any  special  considerations  has  been  given  to  the  proposals received from the Northeastern States for the development of Greenfield cities and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a)  to  (c):  15th  Finance  Commission  (15th  FC) has  allocated  ₹8,000  crore  as performance based challenge fund for incubation of eight new cities. A State can have only one new city through this fund.

In  line  with  the  recommendations  of  15th  FC,  the  Ministry  constituted  an Expert Committee (EC) for finalization of bid parameters for incubation of new cities. The Committee finalized minimum eligibility conditions & bid parameters, and a Request for Proposal (RfP) was circulated to all States. The Ministry received 26 proposals from 21 States upto the last date. Due to nonreceipt of qualitative proposals from North-Eastern States, fresh/revised proposals  were  sought  from  these  States.  Consequently,  total  28  proposals from 23 States have been received.

All the proposals are at the competent level for examination/scrutiny.

(d):  To  give  impetus to the proposals from North-Eastern (NE)/Hilly States for incubation of new city, the preferred size of proposed cities is more than 25 Hectares. For all other States, preferred size of proposed cities is more than 50 Hectares.  Envisaged  population  of  the  new  city  in  NE  and  Hilly  States  is  at least 25,000. For all other States, envisaged population is 1,00,000.

Further,  considering  the  small  urban  population  in  NE/Hilly  States,  Rs.  500 crore for a city has been allocated.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4108 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Funds Sanctioned and Disbursed to Goa under SCM
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4108

TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 19, 2024

## FUNDS SANCTIONED AND DISBURSED TO GOA UNDER SCM

NO. 4108.     SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES:

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

- (a)   the details of the funds sanctioned and disbursed by the Union Government for Goa under Smart Cities Mission (SCM);
- (b)   whether any funds are pending for disbursement and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c)   the details of the fund utilisation certificates submitted  by  the State
- Government of Goa or the concerned company;
- (d)   whether any time-frame has been fixed by the Government for completing the said works under SCM and if so the details thereof along with the penalty, if any, imposed on the concerned parties for the delay of works; and
- (e)   the  details  of  the  report  on  Smart  City  Project  submitted  by  the  State
- Government of Goa in this context?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a) to (c) Under Smart Cities Mission (SCM), the Central Government has a total outlay of ₹48,000 crore for the 100 smart cities. As on 30.11.2024, a central assistance of ₹4 41 crore out of a total of ₹500 crore has been released to the State of Goa under SCM, out of which ₹ 411 crore (93% of the central assistance released) has been utilized. The funds are released to smart cities based on demands raised, release of State matching share and utilization of central and state assistance released to the cities so far.
- (d) & (e) On the request received from various State/UT Governments, the period of SCM has been extended up to 31st March, 2025. As per the Guidelines of SCM, the implementation of  the  Mission  at  the  City  level  will  be  done  by  a Special  Purpose  Vehicle  (SPV)  created  for  the  purpose.  The  SPV  will  plan, appraise,  approve,  release  funds,  implement,  manage,  operate,  monitor  and evaluate the Smart City development projects. The responsibility for ensuring timely  completion  of  projects  lies  with  the  respective  SPV  as  all  project contracts  under  SCM  are  mutually  executed  between  the  SPV  and  the concerned parties. Smart Cities are continuously updating financial progress of the  projects  and  physical  progress  of  geotagged  assets  on  Geospatial Management  Information  System  portal  and  the  same  is  being  regularly monitored by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4102 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Status of SBM-U
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Sunil Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4102 TO BE ANSWERED ON DECEMBER 19, 2024

## STATUS OF SBM-U

## NO. 4102.  SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

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

- (a) whether the work in urban area is going on in full swing under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has any plans to construct toilets using latest technology  under  SBM  in  urban  areas  of  Valmiki  Nagar  Lok  Sabha Constituency in Bihar;
- (c)
- if so, the time by which it is likely to be implemented; and
- (d) the details of the usage of technology for the urban areas under SBM?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a) : Government of India launched the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBMU) on October 2, 2014 with the objective of Open Defecation Free (ODF) and for  scientific  processing of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) generated in the urban  areas  of  the  country.  To  carry  forward  the  progress  made  under Phase-I, SBM - Urban 2.0 was launched on 1st October, 2021 with the vision to achieve 'Garbage Free' status through source segregation, door-to-door collection  and  scientific  processing  of  municipal  solid  waste  in  all  Urban Local  Bodies  in  the  country.  All  States  and  Urban  Local  Bodies  are  in various  stages  of  implementation  of  projects  under  SBM-U  2.0.  Details  of projects are available at https://sbmurban.org/swachh-bharat-missionprogess .
- (b) to (d) Operational Guidelines for Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban 2.0 do not prescribe any specific technology for construction of toilets. The toilets are being constructed under SBM based on demand raised by State for the urban  population.  The  selection  of  technologies  is  open  to  ULBs/State Governments, allowing them to choose any proven technology as outlined in  the  Central  Public  Health  &  Environmental  Engineering  Organisation (CPHEEO) Manual and advisories issued from time to time.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4101 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Erosion of River Ganges from Kasganj
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Devesh Shakya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4101

ANSWERED ON 19.12.2024

## EROSION OF RIVER GANGES FROM KASGANJ

## †4101.   SHRI DEVESH SHAKYA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether there is any project under implementation to stop erosion of river Ganges from Kasganj block and Shavar Patiyali in Kasganj district of Uttar Pradesh;

(b) if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be completed and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government against illegal possession of hundreds of hectares of land that get vacated due to the erosion with a view to give benefits to the farmers/owners of the land?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a)  &  (b) Flood  management  including  erosion  control  falls  within  the  purview  of  the  States.  Flood management and anti-erosion schemes are formulated and implemented by concerned State Governments as per  their  priority.  The  Union  Government  supplements  the  efforts  of  the  States  by  providing  technical guidance and also promotional financial assistance for management of floods in critical areas.

As informed by Government of Uttar Pradesh, six projects were formulated to stop the erosion of the river Ganga in the Tehsil of Kasganj, Sahavar and Patiyali of Kasganj District. Out of which, depending on the  availability  of  funds,  four  projects  have  been  taken  up  for  technical  appraisal.  The  details  of  the  four projects are as follows:

1. Construction of spurs and anti-erosion protective works in village Sahbazpur on the right bank of the Ganga River in Patiyali Tehsil..
2. Construction of spurs and anti-erosion protective works in Village Bari Bagvas on the right bank of the Ganga River in Patiyali Tehsil.
3. Construction of spurs and anti-erosion protective works in village Sungarhi on the right bank of the Ganga River in Patiyali Tehsil.
4. Construction of spurs and anti-erosion protective works in village Kadarganj on the right bank of the Ganga River in Patiyali Tehsil.

As informed by State Govt., the the said projects are proposed to be completed before before the next flood period.

(c) Government of Uttar Pradesh has informed that during floods in Ganga River, hundreds of hectares of land get submerged.  There is no illegal possession of land. Most of the fields are of large area in which many co-shareholders  are  registered.  On  the  basis  of  mutual  consent  of  the  co-shareholders,  they  are  given possession by the Revenue Department.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 4098 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Usage of Air Force Stations for Domestic Flights
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Kumari Selja

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 4098

(To be answered on the 19 th  December 2024)

## USAGE OF AIR FORCE STATIONS FOR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

4098.

KUMARI SEIJA

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the number of Air Force stations being used for domestic flights in the country;
- (b) whether it is true that the Government proposes to use Sirsa and Ambala air force centers for domestic flights and if so, the details thereof along with the timeline fixed in this regard; and
- (c) whether it is true that the Government has provided licence to Hisar Airport to operate air travel and if so, the details thereof along with the number of flights to be started from the said airport?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) The total number of operational Civil Enclaves at IAF airports is 28.
- (b) The Sirsa airport in Haryana is owned by Indian Air Force (IAF) and available in the tentative list of unserved airports in the Regional Connectivity Scheme- Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) document. None of the airline bidders have submitted proposals to operate RCS flights from Sirsa till the completion of five rounds of bidding.

Ambala airport in Haryana is owned by the IAF. During the 3rd round of bidding  under  RCS  (UDAN),  Ambala  airport  was  identified  for  the development and operation of RCS flights. The Civil Enclave has been developed and the security clearances and documentation are currently being processed by the State Government. Commencement of flights is subject to readiness of the airport.

- (c)  Aerodrome License has not yet been issued to Hisar Airport due to pending regulatory requirements.
- *****