Lok Sabha Question No. 1447 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: Vande Bharat Train from Bhopal-Lucknow and Bhopal-Patna
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Alok Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1447 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

VANDE BHARAT TRAIN FROM BHOPAL-LUCKNOW AND BHOPAL-PATNA †1447. SHRI ALOK SHARMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  new  Vande  Bharat  trains  were  to  be  started  on  various routes  as  announced  in  the  Budget  and  if  so,  the  number  of  Vande Bharat trains started so far during the current financial year as per the announcement;
- (b) the time by which Vande Bharat train from Bhopal to Lucknow and Bhopal to Patna are likely to be introduced and the latest update in this regard; and
- (c) the time by which the works of Nishatpura railway station near Bhopal is likely to be completed, the details related to its expansion and the time by which the said station is likely to be made operational?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) & (b)  As on 28th November, 2024, 136  Vande Bharat train services are  running  across  the  Indian  Railways,  which  includes  34  Vande Bharat services introduced during the current financial year. Presently,  Bhopal  is  connected  to  Lucknow  area  by  28  pairs  of Mail/Express services while to Patna area by 08 pairs of Mail/Express services.  Further,  to  cater  to  the  additional  needs  of  passengers  on these  sectors  04  pairs  of  Special  train  services  are  being  operated between Bhopal and Lucknow while 06 pairs of Special train services are being operated between Bhopal and Patna area. Besides, introduction of new train services, including Vande Bharat  trains, and provision  of  stoppages  of  trains  are  ongoing  processes  on  Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification, etc.

(c)  Upgradation/modernisation  of  stations  on  Indian  Railways  is  a continuous  and  on-going  process  and works  in this regard are undertaken  as per requirement, subject to inter-se priority and availability  of  funds.  However,  priority  for  upgradation/modernization of  stations  is  accorded  to  higher  category  of  station  over  lower category of station while sanctioning and executing the works.

For  development  works  at  Nishatpura  railway  station,  tenders  have been  awarded  and  works  of  improvement  of  platform  surfacing, extension  of  platforms,  platform  shelters,  water  booths,  LED  lights, ceiling  fans,  coach  guidance  system,  computerized  announcement system, etc. have been taken up.

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  brownfield  related  challenges  such  as  shifting  of  utilities, (involving  water/sewage  lines,  optical  fibre  cables,  gas  pipelines, power/signal  cables,  etc.)  infringements,  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. Therefore, no time frame can be indicated at this stage.

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