Lok Sabha Question No. 1396 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Kozhikode Railway Station Redevelopment Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1396 TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## KOZHIKODE RAILWAY STATION REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

1396 SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  the  steps envisaged by the  Government to alleviate the overcrossing rush in the Kozhikode-Banglore rail route;
- (b) whether the Government has data regarding the percentage of progress on  Kozhikode  railway  station  Redevelopment  project,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has noticed heavy rush during the office/School  going  hours  in  North  Kerala,  if  so,  the  details  of  the  steps taken/proposed to be taken to address the same;
- (d) whether the Government plans to introduce new trains in the Kozhikode Bangalore segment including Vande Bharat;
- (e) the expected time to declare extension of Banglore-Mangalore-Kannur train  to  Kozhikode  and  introduction  of  Mangalore  Rameswaram  train  via Palakkad; and
- (f) whether the Government plans to extend Goa- Mangalore Vande Bharat, which is running on loss to Coimbatore via Kozhikode?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING 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. 1396 BY SHRI M K RAGHAVAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 31.07.2024 REGARDING KOZHIKODE  RAILWAY STATION REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT (a) to (f) As the Railway network straddles across State boundaries, trains are  introduced,  as  per  network  requirement,  across  such  boundaries.  At present, 2 pairs of trains  serve the Bengaluru - Kozhikode sector. Further, in  its  constant  endeavour  to  provide  additional  accommodation    to travelling  passengers,  Indian  Railway  (IR),  also  operates    Special  train services during festivals, holidays, etc. and  augments the load of trains, both  on  permanent  and  temporary  basis,  to  cater  to  additional  demand. However,  introduction  and  extension  of  trains  including  Vande  Bharat trains  is  an  on-going  process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to traffic justification, operational feasibility and availability of resources etc. Ministry  of  Railways  has  launched  the  Amrit  Bharat  Station  scheme  for development of Stations on Indian Railways. So far, 1324 Railway stations including  35  stations  in  the  state  of  Kerala  have  been  identified  for development under this scheme.  Kozhikode Railway Station falling in the state  of  Kerala  has  also  been  identified  under  this  scheme.  Tender  for redevelopment  of  Kozhikode  Railway  Station  has  been  awarded  and  the works have started. This scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a  long  term  approach.  It  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 Wi-Fi, 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,  etc.    as  per  necessity,  phasing  and  feasibility  and creation of city centres at the station in the long term. Further,  development/redevelopment/upgradation  of  Railway  Stations  is complex  in  nature  involving  safety  of  passengers  &  trains  and  requires various statutory clearances such as fire clearance, heritage, tree cutting, air-port clearance etc. The progress also gets affected due to brown field related  challenges  such  as  shifting  of  utilities,  (involving  water/sewage lines, ofc cables, gas pipe lines, power/signal cables etc.,) infringements, encroachments, operation of trains without hindering passenger movement, speed restrictions due to works carried out in close proximity of  high  voltage  power  lines  etc.  and  these  factors  affect  the  completion time.

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