Lok Sabha Question No. 658 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-07-23
Subject: New Railway Line from Khalilabad to Bahraich
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Anand Kumar, Shri Ram Shiromani Verma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 658

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025

## NEW RAILWAY LINE FROM KHALILABAD TO BAHRAICH

†658. SHRI RAM SHIROMANI VERMA: DR. ANAND KUMAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  current  status  of  the  proposed  new  railway  line  project  from Khalilabad  to  Bahraich  via  Balrampur  and  Shrawasti  particularly phase-2;
- (b) the measures being taken to expedite the work to ensure completion on time;
- (c) the  estimated timeline for the completion and commissioning of the said line;
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  take  steps  like  running  of special trains providing a package or the development of station for the  convenience  of  passengers  at  religious  places  like  Shrawasti (Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage sites) and Balrampur (famous Devipatan Temple);
- (e) if so, the details thereof;
- (f) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  confer  the  junction  status  to Balrampur station; and
- (g) if so, the time by when it is likely to be done and the financial status thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (g): Khalilabad  -  Bahraich  via  Balrampur  and  Shravasti  (240  km)  new line  project  has  been  sanctioned  at  a  cost  of  ₹4940  crore.  The  project  has been notified as 'Special Railway Project' for acquisition of land through State Contd...2

Government.  Execution  of  the  work  has  been  planned  in  3  phases  i.e. Khalilabad  to  Bansi  (54  km),  Bansi-Shravasti  (113  km)  and  Shravasti  to Bahraich  (73  km).  Major  portion  of  land  acquisition  for  Khalilabad  to  Bansi section  has  been  completed  and  accordingly  work  has  been  taken  up.  An expenditure of ₹1067 crore has been incurred upto March 2025 and an outlay of ₹421 crore has been provided for this project for the year 2025-26.

Balrampur station has  been planned  as  a  Junction  station  with  trains  going towards Gonda, Bahraich and Shravasti.

Various steps taken by the Government for speedy approval and implementation of Railway projects include (i) setting up of Gati Shakti units (ii) prioritisation of projects (iii) substantial increase in allocation of funds on priority projects (iv) delegation of powers at field level (v) close  monitoring  of progress    of  project  at  various  levels  and  (vi)  regular  follow  up  with  State Governments  and  concerned  authorities  for  expeditious  land  acquisition, forestry  and  Wildlife  clearances  and  for  resolving  other  issues  pertaining  to projects. This has led to substantial increase in rate of commissioning since 2014.

Operation  of  Special  train  is  an  ongoing  process  of  Indian  Railways.  Indian Railways,  subject  to  operational  feasibility,  traffic  justification  etc.  operates Special  trains  to  cater  extra  rush  of  passengers  during  festive  season, vacations or for destinations of religious/tourist value to facilitate tourism and pilgrimage.

Completion  of  Railway  project/s  depends  on  various  factors  like  quick  land acquisition  by  State  Government,  forest  clearance  by  officials  of  forest department, shifting  of  infringing  utilities,  statutory  clearances  from  various authorities,  geological  and  topographical  conditions  of  area,  law  and  order situation in the area of project/s site, number of working months in a year for particular  project  site  etc.  All  these  factors  affect  the  completion  time  and cost of the project/s.

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