opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2457 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Use of Waste in Highway Construction
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Ms Sayani Ghosh

be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of successful pilot projects that showcase the effective use of waste in highway construction;
- (b) the total volume of waste materials such as fly ash, plastic waste and construction debris  utilised  in  highway  construction  projects  till date, State-wise;
- (c)  the  length  of  highways  in  kilometres  constructed  using  plastic waste and the estimated reduction in environmental pollution due to this initiative; and
- (d) whether there are any incentives for contractors or private players to use waste materials in road construction, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  Based on international best practices and outcome of indigenous research  including  performance  evaluation  of  pilot  projects,  new standards/guidelines  are  framed  by  Indian  Roads  Congress  (IRC)  and existing standards/guidelines of IRC are amended from time to time to facilitate use of waste in highway construction. Government has also issued  policy  guidelines  on  use  of  such  materials.  A  few  projects where fly ash/plastic waste/ construction debris have been

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2457 ANSWERED ON 13 TH  MARCH, 2025

## USE OF WASTE IN HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

2457. Ms Sayani Ghosh:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

successfully  used  are  Eastern  Peripheral  Expressway  (EPE),  NaginaKashipur  NH-74,  Udaipur-Shamlaji  NH-48,  and  Urban  Extension  Road (UER-II). (b)  to  (d)  Adoption  of  waste  materials  such  as  fly  ash,  plastic  waste and construction debris for road construction is a continuous process. National Highway (NH) Projects are generally implemented on Engineering, Procurement & Construction (EPC)/Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM)/Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mode where contractor/ concessionaire carry out their own  design in accordance with applicable manual, standards/guidelines/codes, etc. and then these are reviewed/  approved  by  Authority  Engineer  (AE)/Independent  Engineer (IE)  before  its  actual  use  in  a  NH  project.  Various  kinds  of  waste materials such as fly ash, plastic waste, and construction debris are used  in  different  NH  projects  in  embankment/different  pavement courses/different  concrete  items,  etc.  depending  upon  availability, suitability and feasibility of use.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2455 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Launch of Centres of Excellence
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

NO. 2455.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2455 TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 13, 2025

## LAUNCH OF CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE

SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

WILL  THE  MINISTER  OF  HOUSING  AND  URBAN  AFFAIRS  BE  PLEASED  TO STATE:

- (a) in light of the four Centres of Excellence (CoE) being launched for the realm of urban planning, the details of the specific areas of expertise that each of them would be designated with;
- (b) the manner  in which these CoE  effectively integrate ancient Indian knowledge of urban planning with modern AI-based solutions;
- (c) the manner in which this might be applied to address contemporary urban challenges like sustainability, resilience and social equity; and
- (d) whether the Government has any plan to make their findings accessible and actionable for city planners and policymakers across the country, particularly in smaller towns and cities and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE

MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

(a) to (d) Ministry  of  Housing  and  Urban  Affairs  (MoHUA)  has  designated following  institutes  as  Centre  of  Excellence  (CoE)  in  Urban  Planning  and Design and has signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Institutes in September, 2024:

- i) School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi
2. ii) Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur
3. iii) CEPT, Ahmedabad and
4. iv) NIT Calicut

The objective is to develop these Centres of Excellence as 'Institute of International  Repute'  in  urban  planning  and  design  and  to  maintain  the highest standards of leadership in urban planning and design in the country by becoming a catalyst for innovation, knowledge creation, dissemination of best practices, training, capacity building and creating platforms for sustained engagement of academia- industry- government and civil society. The CoEs are mandated to provide support to the States by offering capacity building  programmes/  certified  courses,  expert  guidance,  sharing  of  best practices,  and  innovative  solutions  tailored  to  local/  regional  needs.  The CoEs are also tasked to work with the States and partner with cities on real on-ground projects as per the priority of the States.

All the modern technological tools are used by the CoEs as integral part of research, urban planning and design.

A  digital  platform  has  been  developed  by  the  Ministry  where  all  the CoEs  share  training/capacity  building  program  conducted  by  them  and  the projects/ research works undertaken by them.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2453 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Inclusion of Lambadi Community in ST List
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri  Selvaganapathi T.M.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2453

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2025

## INCLUSION OF LAMBADI COMMUNITY IN ST LIST

## 2453.  SHRI SELVAGANAPATHI T.M. :

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  there  has  been  long  pending  demand  for  the  inclusion  of  Lambadi community in the list of Scheduled Tribes (STs) and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether it is true that the State Government of Tamil Nadu had requested the Union Government to include Lambadi community in the ST list and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  it  is  also  true  that  the  National  Commission  for  Scheduled  Tribes  (NCST)  had  also recommended that Lambadi community may be declared as STs through a suitable amendment to the Constitution and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps proposed to be taken by the Government for an early inclusion of Lambadi community in ST list?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

- (a) to  (d): No proposal is pending with this Ministry for inclusion of Lambadi community in the Scheduled Tribes list. The Government of India on 15.6.1999 (further amended on 25.6.2002 and 14.9.2022) has laid down the modalities for deciding the claims for inclusion in, exclusion from and other  modifications  in  Orders  specifying  Scheduled  Castes  and  Scheduled  Tribes  lists.  As  per  the modalities, only those proposals which have been recommended and justified by the concerned State Government  /  UT  Administration  and  concurred  with  by  Registrar  General  of  India  (RGI)  and National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) are to be considered and legislation amended. All action on the proposals is taken as per these approved modalities. The recommendation of the concerned State Government is pre-requisite to process the case further.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2451 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Redevelopment of NH-322
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Gopal Jee Thakur

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2451 ANSWERED ON 13 TH  MARCH, 2025

## REDEVELOPMENT OF NH-322

2451.  SHRI GOPAL JEE THAKUR:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state: (a)  whether  there  is  any  proposal  to  redevelop  National  Highway  (NH)-322 from Darbhanga to Musarighrari in Bihar and if so, the details thereof; and (b)  the  funds  allocated  for  the  purpose  and  the  extent  to  which  this  forty seven  kms  long  stretch  of  National  Highway  is  likely  to  be  widened  along

- with the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) To (b)  At present, the NH-322 from Darbhanga to Samastipur is 2 lane and Samastipur to Musarighari is 4 lane. Development and maintenance of National  Highways,  including  of  NH-322  in  Bihar,  is  a  continuous  process which  is  taken  up  as  per  the  traffic  and  its  growth,  inter-se  priority  and synergy  with  PM  Gati  Shakti  National  Master  Plan.   Performance  Based Maintenance Contract (PBMC) work has been sanctioned for Rs. 39.37 crores for maintenance of Darbhanga - Samastipur section of NH-322.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2449 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: FoBs on NH-66
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2449

ANSWERED ON 13 TH  MARCH, 2025

## FOBS ON NH-66

## 2449.   DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the severe challenges faced by the residents and commuters in various parts of the Ponnani Lok Sabha constituency due to the ongoing development work on National Highway (NH)-66, particularly in areas such as Puthuponnani, Theyyangad Junction, Chamravattam, Madirasseri, Kuttippuram, Kanhippura,  Vettichira,  Puthanathani,  Randathani,  Edarikkode,  Mele Kozhichena, Venniyur, and Thangalpadi near Kakkad, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government will consider the construction of Foot Over Bridges at critical locations like Randathani Town, Puthuponnani, near B.Ed College and MI School, Theyyangad Junction near Chamravattam, Mele Kozhichena, Thangalpadi near Kakkad and Kazhuthallur near Kuttipuram on NH-66; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)    Upgradation of NH-66 to six-lane highway with service roads on both sides is being carried out with restricted Right of Way (ROW) of 45 meters acquired in consultation with State Government of Kerala.

As  crossing  facilities  such  as  Vehicle  Underpasses  (VUPs),  flyovers are  under  construction  at  the  specified  locations,  road  users  may experience some difficulties during this period. However, appropriate measures  for  maintenance  and  regulation  of  traffic  movement  have been ensured to minimize the challenges faced by the local residents. (b)  and  (c)  Due  to  the  restricted  Right  of  Way  (ROW)  of  45  meters, adequate space for the landing ramp of the Foot Over Bridge (FOB) is not available within the ROW. Furthermore, at certain locations, due to differences  in  the  elevation  profiles  of  the  National  Highway  and service  roads,  the  installation  of  a  Foot  Over  Bridge  (FOB)  is  not feasible.  However, FOB at the specified locations shall be considered if the State Government is willing to provide land for the purpose.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2440 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Schemes/Programmes for Tribals in Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. C M Ramesh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2440

TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.03.2025

## SCHEMES/PROGRAMMES FOR TRIBALS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

2440. Dr. C M Ramesh:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh has more than 8,500 targeted Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) population as per the available data captured in November, 2024
- (b) if so, the details of schemes/programmes being implemented for the benefit of these tribals in the said district; and
- (c) the details of the funds sanctioned, released, allocated and spent during the last five years and the current year, scheme and year-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

- (a) Ministry of Tribal Affairs through the State Governments/ UT Administration/departments has undertaken habitation level data collection exercise through PM Gati Shakti mobile application to estimate PVTG population figures and infrastructure gaps in order to cover PVTG population residing in villages & habitations covered under PM JANMAN.  Based on the data captured (as on 28.02.2025), PVTG population in Anakapalli district of Andhra Pradesh is 8552.
- (b) & (c) During FY 2023-24, Hon'ble Prime Minister launched Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha AbhiyaN (PM JANMAN) on 15th Nov 2023, for socio-economic development of 75  PVTG communities residing  in  18  states  and  one  UT.  The  mission  aims  to  provide  basic facilities such as safe housing, clean drinking water and improved access to education, health and nutrition, road and telecom connectivity, electrification of unelectrified households and sustainable  livelihood  opportunities  in  3  years.  These  objectives  are  being  met  through  11 interventions implemented by 9 line Ministries. The details of benefits given under PM JANMAN ( as on 28.02.2025 ) in Anakapalli district since its inception is as follows:

| Ministry                             | Intervention                | Sanctions                             |
|--------------------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| Jal Shakti                           | Piped Water Supply          | 48 villages covering PVTG habitations |
| Health and Family Welfare            | Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) | 11 MMUs sanctioned                    |
| Deptt. of Telecom, M/o Communication | Mobile towers               | 5 PVTG habitations                    |

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2439 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Allowing Free Passage at  Toll Plaza
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Amra Ram, Shri V K Sreekandan

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering to ask all road developers to provide  free  passage  to  people  of  all  neighbouring  panchayats  of concerned toll plazas, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  guidelines  of  the  National  Highways  Department  for  toll  free facility for local residents at toll booths;
- (c) whether the Government is considering to direct the road developers  to  extend  the  radius  of  toll  plazas  due  to  stiff  opposition from the villagers surrounding the toll plazas, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether there have been demands to provide free passage to fourwheel auto-rickshaws and school vehicles through toll plazas, if so, the steps taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) & (b) Government has made provision for discounts to local users in applicable National Highways Fee Rules.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2439

ANSWERED ON 13 TH  MARCH, 2025

## ALLOWING FREE PASSAGE AT TOLL PLAZA

2439. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN: SHRI AMRA RAM:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

As  per  the  National  Highways  Fee  Rules,  2008,  a  person  residing within  20  kilometers  of  a  fee  plaza,  who  owns  a  mechanical  vehicle with a valid functional FASTag, registered for non-commercial purposes,  and  uses  it  for  commuting  on  a  section  of  the  National Highway may obtain a monthly pass for that fee plaza at the rate of Rs.340 (Three Hundred and Forty Rupees Only) for the financial year 2024-25 and is subject to revision every year as per the provisions of the  said  rules,  provided  a  service  road  or  alternative  road  is  not available for use by such vehicle. Further, a commercial vehicle (excluding vehicle plying under National Permit) registered in a particular district is eligible for payment of 50% of the prescribed user fee on all fee plazas which are located within that district. (c) No such proposal is under consideration. (d)  Though  representation  has  been  received,  however,  there  is already  a  facility  of  discounts  in  user  fee  and  monthly  passes  for National Highways user as per the provisions of NH Fee Rules, 2008 as outlined in the reply to part (a) & (b) of this question. Moreover, as per the provisions of NH Fee Rules, 2008, no fee shall be levied for the use of the section of National Highway by two  wheelers,  three  wheelers,  tractors,  combine  harvesters  and animal  drawn  vehicle,  provided  that  these  vehicles  shall  not  be allowed to use the section of National Highway where a service road or alternative road is available in lieu of the said National Highway.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2437 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Working Hours Limit and Rest Provisions for Drivers
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2437 ANSWERED ON 13 TH  MARCH, 2025

## WORKING HOURS LIMIT AND REST PROVISIONS FOR DRIVERS

2437.         SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is considering implementing a mandatory double-driver  system  on  national  permit  vehicles  to  reduce  driver fatigue and enhance road safety, if so, the details thereof; and
- (b)  whether  the  Government  is  taking  steps  to  enforce  compliance with working hours limit and weekly rest provisions for drivers as per the Motor Transport Workers Act, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a)  No  such  proposal  is  under  consideration.  However,  as  per  the section 91 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the hours of work of any person  engaged  for  operating  a  transport  vehicle  shall  be  such  as provided in the Motor Transport Workers Act, 1961.
- (b)  The  Motor  Transport  Workers  Act,  1961  is  governed  through  the State Governments. However, section 31 & 32 of this Act have penalty provisions for contravention of provisions regarding the employment of motor transport workers and other offenses, respectively.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Funds for Water Bodies under Mission Amrut Sarovar
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2436 ANSWERED ON 13.03.2025

## FUNDS FOR WATER BODIES UNDER MISSION AMRUT SAROVAR

## 2436.   SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether the Government has sanctioned and disbursed the funds as Union Government's share for the Centrally Sponsored Scheme 'Mission Amrut Sarovar' for waterbodies in Goa;

(b) if so, the details thereof, waterbodies-wise along with the funds utilised during the last five years in Goa;

(c) the conditions laid down to prevent any misuse or diversion of the funds for other purpose; and

(d) the action likely to be initiated in case of misuse/diversion of funds?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a) to (d) Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched in April 2022 with the ambitious goal of constructing or rejuvenating 75 Amrit Sarovars (ponds) in each district, totalling 50,000 across the country. This initiative has made significant progress in addressing the critical issue of water scarcity.

As on 07.03.2025, over 68,000 Sarovars have been completed, out of which 159 Amrit Sarovars have been completed in the state of Goa.

There  is  no  separate  financial  allocation  for  Mission  Amrit  Sarovar.  The  Mission  Amrit  Sarovar works through the States and Districts with convergence from various ongoing schemes such as Mahatma Gandhi  National  Rural  Employment  Guarantee  Scheme  (Mahatma  Gandhi  NREGS),  15th  Finance Commission Grants, Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sichayee Yojna sub-schemes such as Watershed Development Component,  Har  Khet  ko  Pani,  besides  States  own  scheme.  Public  contribution  like  crowd  funding  and Corporate Social Responsibility is also allowed for the work.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2434 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Pilot Project on Agriculture and Dairy for Tribals
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Smt. Anita Subhadarshini

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2434

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 13.03.2025

## PILOT PROJECT ON AGRICULTURE AND DAIRY FOR TRIBALS

## 2434. SMT. ANITA SUBHADARSHINI :

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) Whether the Government has launched any pilot project on agriculture and dairy farming among tribals for their self-reliance and sustainable livelihood and if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (b) Whether there is good progress of Cluster Tribal Model Villages (CTMV) and Milk Village Initiatives (MVI) in the country and if so, the details thereof along with the number of new CTMVs to be created in the country during the year 2025-26, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

- (a) The Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, has not specifically launched any pilot project on agriculture and dairy farming but is implementing 'Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission' (PMJVM) scheme through Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED) for socioeconomic  development  of  tribal  communities  across  the  country.   Under  the  scheme,  institutional support for development and marketing of Tribal Products/Produce, empanelment of tribal artisan and procurement of various tribal products including agriculture and dairy products from them are the core activities for generating livelihood opportunities for tribal communities.
- (b) Till 2020-21, there was a scheme of Special Central Assistance (SCA) to Tribal Sub Plan (TSP)/ Special Central  Assistance  (SCA)  to Tribal  Sub  Scheme  (TSS)  in  which  funds  were  provided  for  the development of clusters i.e. pockets of villages with the concentration of tribals of about 50% or more within a total population of 5000 or more in such area.  However, the said scheme got revamped into Prandhan Mantri Adi Adarash Gram Yojna (PMAAGY) in 2021-22 wherein the concept of clusters of villages was changed into the development of Adarsh grams.

Rashtriya Gokul Mission is being implemented by Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying for development and conservation of indigenous bovine breeds, genetic upgradation of bovine population and  enhancement  of  milk  production  and  productivity  of  bovines  in  all  States.  The  benefit  of  the scheme is accruing to all dairy farmers including dairy farmers of tribal community.

*****