opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 2963 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Accessibility Measures
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Imtiaz Jaleel Syed, Ritesh Pandey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2963 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## ACCESSIBILITY MEASURES

2963. SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL: SHRI RITESH PANDEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has recently notified accessibility guidelines for railway infrastructure for persons with disabilities, if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  accessibility  measures  are  likely  to  depend  on  the footfall of individuals on the station;
- (c) if so, the reasons for such a decision;
- (d) whether the accessibility deadline under the new guidelines is also dependent upon the footfall on the station, if so, the facts thereof;
- (e)  whether  the  accessibility  measures are also being devised under the guidelines for people with invisible disabilities; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (f) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (f)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2963 BY SHRI SYED IMTIAZ JALEEL AND SHRI  RITESH  PANDEY  TO  BE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON 20.12.2023 REGARDING ACCESSIBILITY MEASURES

(a)  to  (f)  In  compliance  with  Rights  of  Persons  with  Disabilities  Act, 2016,  'Guidelines  on  accessibility  of  Indian  Railway  stations  and facilities  at  stations  for  differently  abled  persons  (Divyangjans)  and passengers with reduced mobility' was circulated and notified in the Gazette  of  India.  The  guidelines  include  provisions  of  Divyangjan related  facilities  such  as  entrance  ramps,  accessible  parking,  low height  ticket  counter/help  booths,  toilets,  drinking  water  booth,  subways/foot  over  bridges  with  ramps/lifts,  standard  signages  including Braille signages and tactile pathways for visual impairment etc.

The  provision/upgradation  of  amenities  for  passengers  including  for Divyangjan  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.  The  priority  for  provision/upgradation  of amenities  is  accorded  to  higher  category  of  station  over  lower category of station while sanctioning and executing the work.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2961 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Global Temperature Rise
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Queen Oja

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2961

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2023

## GLOBAL TEMPERATURE RISE

## 2961.       SHRIMATI QUEEN OJA:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the world needs to cut 43% of its emission by 2030 as compared to 2019 levels, to be within the safe limit of global temperature rise;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to stop the emission level;
- (c) whether steps have been taken by the Government in the last three years to limit the emission below the danger level and if so, the details in this regard, year-wise; and
- (d) whether the Government has any plans to achieve zero emission level and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) Yes Sir. The latest science from the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change indicates  that  greenhouse  gas  emissions  need  to  be  cut  43%  by  2030,  compared  to 2019 levels.
- (b) & (c)  The Indian Government remains steadfast in its commitment to combat climate change through various programs and initiatives, such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC). These plans encompass  specific  missions  in  areas  like  solar  energy,  energy  efficiency,  water conservation, sustainable agriculture, health,  Himalayan  ecosystem  preservation, sustainable  habitat  development,  Green  India,  and  strategic  knowledge  for  climate change.  The  NAPCC  serves  as  a  comprehensive  framework  for  all  climate-related actions.  Additionally,  India  has  taken  a  proactive  role  in  fostering  international collaborations  through  initiatives  such  as  the  International  Solar  Alliance  and  the Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure.
- (d) India is committed to combating climate change, by making development choices that ensure growth and development of the economy along low carbon pathways towards net-zero emissions by 2070 as follows:
-  Meet 50% of India's cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil sources by 2030.
-  Reduce the emission intensity of GDP by 45% below 2005 levels by 2030.
-  Put forward and further propagate a healthy and sustainable way of living based on the traditions and values of conservation and moderation, including through a mass  movement  for  LiFE  -  Lifestyle  for  Environment  as  a  key  to  combating climate change.

*******
Lok Sabha Question No. 2947 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Rice Procured from Bihar
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Sunil Kumar

## INISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2947 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20''  DECEMBER, 2023

## RICE PROCURED FROM BIHAR

## t2947.  SHRI SUNIL KUMAR:

Will  the  Minister of  CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION aTqtTm THT+, aTV at RT&IfRq f%Twr IHt be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the quantity of rice procured by the Food Corporation of
- India (FOI) from Bihar during the financial year 2022-23;
- (b) whether the  Government proposes to  increase the  volume of
- procurement from Bihar;
- (c) if so, the volume of procurement likely  to be increased along with  the
- details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRSI FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a): Bihar is a Decentralized Procurement (Dep) State wherein procurement operations are carried out by the State Government and its Agencies.

During KMS 2022-23 a quantity  of 44.05 LMT paddy (28.17 LMT in terms of rice) was procured by the State of Bihar for the Central Pool.

(b) to (d):  The estimate for procurement of paddy (in terms rice) and wheat is  finalized by  the  Government of  India  in  consultation with  State Governments and  Food  Corporation of India (FCI),  before  the commencement of each  marketing season based  upon  estimated production, marketable surplus and agricultural crop pattern. Procurement in  a State depends not only upon production but also upon other factors like  marketable surplus, Minimum Support Price (MSP), prevailing market rate, demand & supply situation and participation of private traders etc.

#####
Lok Sabha Question No. 2946 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: FDI in Space Sector
Ministry: SPACE
Asked by: Sunita Duggal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF SPACE LOK SABHA

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2023

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2946 FDI IN SPACE SECTOR

## 2946.  SHRIMATI SUNITA DUGGAL:

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has taken any steps to promote Foreign Direct  Investment  (FDI)  in  Space  sector  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether IN-SPACe has taken any policy measures to encourage start ups and private sector participation in the space sector;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the measures taken by the Indian Space Association (ISpA) since inception for enhancing space industry in the country?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND IN THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH):

****

- (a)  Presently, FDI is space sector is allowed under Government route for  satellite  establishment  and  operations.  In  order  to  promote Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Space Sector, the Department

of Space in consultation with DPIIT is in the process of reviewing the FDI policy guidelines of space sector.

## (b) & (c)

Yes Sir. The following major initiative has been taken by IN-SPACe to encourage the startups and private sector participation in the space sector:

1. Indian Space Policy 2023 has been released by GoI, where roles and responsibilities of all the stakeholders contributing to the overall Indian space ecosystems defined.
2. Various  schemes  to  encourage  and  hand  hold  private sector also announced and implemented by IN-SPACe, i.e., Seed  Fund  Scheme,  Pricing  Support  Policy,  Mentorship support, Design Lab for NGEs, Skill Development in Space Sector, ISRO facility utilization support, Technology Transfer to NGEs.
3. IN-SPACe has signed around 45 MoUs with NonGovernment Entities  (NGEs)  to  provide  necessary  support for realization of space systems and applications envisaged by such NGEs, which is expected to increase the industry participation in manufacturing of launch vehicles and satellites.
4. (d) There are several industry associations in the country related to space sector, ISpA being one among them. The activities being carried out by such industry associations does not come under the purview of government.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2942 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Plea of Rice Mills to Punjab Food Supply
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Harsimrat Kaur Badal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA INISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC  DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NOH2942 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20TH DECEMBER, 2023

## PLEA OF RICE MILLS TO PUNJAB FOOD SUPPLY

## 2942.  SHRIMATI HARSIMRAT KAUR BADAL:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS,  FOOD  AND  PUBLIC

DISTRIBUTION aT#lWT qm,  vrw M  WT6rf+qfR7wr IHt be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government's attention  is drawn to the plea of a group of new rice mills who have completed registration with  the Punjab food supply department but have not been linked online for  procurement purposes resulting into a situation that some 200 local mandies shall not
- be linked and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government's attention is also drawn to the fact that Punjab officials have stated to the rice millers that if these 200 mills are given linkages for  procurement of  paddy, the  Union Government shall
- withhold the transportation fund of Punjab and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to withhold transportation fund to the State Government of Punjab if procurement is linked to the new 200 mandies which have been added recently by the Government of Punjab; and
- (d) if  so, the details  thereof?

i

ANSWER INISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT  AND CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

- (a): State Governnlent of Punjab has informed that all eligible rice mills, during Kharif Marketing Season 2023-24, have been linked for procurement and have been allotted paddy from mandies.
- (b) to (d):  The transportation charges are reimbursed by Government of India as per extant  guidelines, without  any mill/mandi specific  rider.

###88
Lok Sabha Question No. 2940 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Issuance of BPL Cards
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shiromani Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2940 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20TH DECEMBERI 2023

## ISSUANCE OF BPL CARDS

## t2940. SHRI RAMSHIROMANI VERMA:

Will the Minister of CONSUMER  AFFAIRS, FOOD  AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION vv gt%T qT;a, um dR WT#rfhr f+TW IHt be pleased to state:

- (a) whether all the eligible beneficiaries has not been provided BPL cards in Uttar Pradesh especially in Shravasti Parliamentary Constituency;
- (b) if  so,  the  district-wise details thereof including Uttar  Pradesh especially Shravasti Parliamentary Constituency;
- (c) the number of  new BPL cards issued by the Government in Uttar Pradesh during  the  last  two  years;  and
- (d) the number of new BPL cards likely to be issued in Uttar Pradesh
- during the current year and the coming year?

## ANSWER INISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT AND CONSUMER AFFAIRSI FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION (SADHVI NIRANJAN JYOTI)

(a) to (d): The  coverage of beneficiaries for receiving highly  subsidized foodgrains through Targeted Public Distribution  System (TPDS) has been delinked  from the erstwhile poverty  estimates (Above  Poverty  Line/Below Poverty Line) and has been linked to the population estimates under two categories namely Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority  Households (PHH) only.

888##
Lok Sabha Question No. 2938 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Laying of Nanded-Bidar New Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Prataprao Govindrao  Patil Chikhalikar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2938

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## LAYING OF NANDED -BIDAR NEW RAILWAY LINE

## †2938   SHRI PRATAPRAO PATIL CHIKHLIKAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  reasons  for  delay  in  the  laying  of  Nanded  -  Bidar  new  railway
- line;
- (b) the expenditure likely to be incurred for laying the said railway line; and
- (c) the time limit fixed for completion of laying the said Nanded - Bidar railway  line?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c) Nanded - Bidar (155 km ) new line project has been included in Budget 2018-19 subject to requisite approvals.  Detailed Project Report of  the  project  has  been  prepared.  As  the  project  is  having  low  traffic projections,  Government  of  Maharashtra  and  Karnataka  have  been requested  to  provide  land  free  of  cost  and  to  share  50%  cost  of

construction  of  the  project  falling  in  respective  state.  However,  their consent is awaited. The completion of any 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 due to climatic considerations etc.  All these factors affect the completion time of the project(s) of work.

****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2936 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: e-Commerce
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: D. Ravikumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2936.

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 20 TH  DECEMBER, 2023.

## E-COMMERCE

## 2936. SHRI RAVIKUMAR D.:

## Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state: वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) whether  the  Ministry  has  conducted  any  study  to  address  key  issues  like competition  as  identified  in  the  172nd  report  of  the  Rajya  Sabha  on  the Promotion and Regulation of e-commerce in India.
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  intends  to  clarify  the  extent  of  applicability  of  the existing e-commerce laws to the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC);
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) the names of the cities where ONDC is operational currently; and
- (f) whether  the  personal  data  is  being  safely  and  securely  stored,  collected, received,  shared  and  handled  between  network  participants  and  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## वाणिज्य एवं उद्योग मंत्रालय में राज्य मंत्री ( श्री सोम प्रकाश ) THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI SOM PARKASH)

- (a) & (b): No  such  study  has  been  conducted  by  this  Department.  The  Action Taken Report on key issues like competition has been laid in Lok Sabha on 26.07.2023 and in Rajya Sabha on 28.07.2023.
- (c) & (d): All existing laws and regulations of India, related to e-commerce are applicable to ONDC and the Network Participants on ONDC network.
- (e): ONDC is currently operational in more than 500 cities and towns across India.

The geographic coverage of ONDC is determined both by the capability of its Network participants and the independent business decisions of merchants on boarded by the Network participants.

- (f): ONDC does  not  collect  any  personal  data.  ONDC  is  a  Protocol  that enables Network Participants to independently and efficiently exchange goods and services.  As  per ONDC's Network Data Governance Policy, the Network Participants adhere to all applicable laws governing privacy and data.

********
Lok Sabha Question No. 2934 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Doubling of Bhimsen-Jhansi Rail Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Anurag Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2934 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## DOUBLING OF BHIMSEN-JHANSI RAIL LINE

2934. SHRI ANURAG SHARMA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government has sanctioned the doubling of BhimsenJhansi rail line project and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the current status and the total cost of the Bhimsen-Jhansi-Khairar rail line project;
- (c) the details of other projects in this area that are being executed by Railways for smooth flow of railway traffic; and
- (d)  the  names  of  districts  of  the  State  that  are  proposed  to  be connected by the said rail line?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d) : A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2934 BY SHRI ANURAG SHARMA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.12.2023 REGARDING DOUBLING OF BHIMSEN-JHANSI RAIL LINE

(a) to (d): Doubling of 206 km  long Bhimsen-Jhansi rail line  was commissioned in February, 2023 and is operational. The total cost of the project is ₹2620 crore.  Bhimsen-Jhansi rail line project passes through 04 districts  i.e.  Kanpur  Nagar,  Kanpur  Dehat,  Jalaun  and  Jhansi  of  Uttar Pradesh.

Moreover, as on 01.04.2023, 71 Projects (16 New  Line,  04  Gauge Conversion  and  51  Doubling)  of  a  total  length  6552  km,  costing  ₹98,015 crore, falling fully/partly in Uttar Pradesh are in planning/approval/construction stage.

The  work  on  Jhansi-Khairar-Manikpur  and  Khairar-Bhimsen  (425  km) doubling  project  has  been  taken  up  at  a  cost  of  ₹4329.53  crore.    This project covers the districts of Hamirpur, Jhansi, Mahoba, Banda, Chitrakoot, Kanpur Nagar districts of Uttar Pradesh and Niwari district of Madhya Pradesh.

Annual  budget  allocation  for  infrastructure  projects  and  safety  works, falling fully/partly in the State of Uttar Pradesh is as under:-

| Period   | Budget Outlay   | Increase w.r.t. average allocation of 2009-14   |
|----------|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| 2009-14R | ₹1109 Cr./Yr    | -                                               |
| 2023-24  | ₹17507 Cr.      | More than 15 times                              |

Average  Annual  commissioning  for  infrastructure  projects  and  safety works, falling fully/partly in the State of Uttar Pradesh is as under:-

| Period   | Commissioning   | Increase w.r.t. average annual commissioning during 2009-14   |
|----------|-----------------|---------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2009-14  | 199.2 km /Yr    | -                                                             |
| 2014-23  | 350 Km/Yr       | More than 1.75 times                                          |
Lok Sabha Question No. 2933 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Railway Crossing at Chhattisgarh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Soni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2933

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## RAILWAY CROSSING AT CHHATTISGARH

†2933. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SONI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the status of construction of railway crossing in Chhattisgarh;
- (b) the  number  of  works  approved  so  far  during  the  last  two  years since April, 2022; and
- (c) the status of approval of the works?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c):  As  on  01.12.2023,  there  are  155  Nos.  sanctioned  works  of Road Over Bridges (ROBs) / Road Under Bridges (RUBs) in the State of Chhattisgarh. Out of Which 50 ROBs/RUBs have been completed & 105 Nos. of ROB/RUB works are at various stages of planning, estimation, execution etc.

Total 33 Nos. of ROBs/RUBs have been sanctioned since 01.04.2022 (Up to Nov. 2023).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 2931 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-20
Subject: Separate Railway Lines for Goods Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vijay Kumar Dubey

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2931 TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

## SEPARATE RAILWAY LINES FOR GOODS TRAINS

2931.   SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Railways has any proposal for laying separate rail lines for the passenger trains and goods trains;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  details  of  works  completed  with  regard  to  laying  of  separate railway lines for goods trains during the last five years;
- (d)  whether  a  pilot  project  namely  'Joint  Parcel  Product'  has  been launched by the Indian Railways and Indian Postal Department; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2931 BY SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.12.2023 REGARDING SEPARATE RAILWAY LINES FOR GOODS TRAINS (a)  to  (c)  Ministry  of  Railways  has  taken  up  construction  of  two Dedicated  Freight  Corridors  (DFC)  viz.  Eastern  Dedicated  Freight Corridor  (EDFC)  from  Ludhiana  to  Sonnagar  (1337  km)  and  Western Dedicated Freight Corridor (WDFC) from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Terminal  (JNPT)  to  Dadri  (1506  km).  The  construction  of  EDFC  has been completed. Out of total 1506 kms of WDFC, construction of 1176 kms has been completed. This will facilitate segregation of freight and passenger services in these sections. Also, a high speed rail project between Mumbai - Ahmedabad has been undertaken with technical collaboration and financial assistance from the Government of Japan. This project is dedicated to passenger train services. (d)  &  (e):  A  project  namely  'Joint  Parcel  Product'  (JPP)  has  been launched  by  Indian  Railways  in  collaboration  with  India  Post  with focus on MSME market. Under the 'JPP', India Post provides the first & last  mile  services,  and  Indian  Railways  provide  the  middle  mile services. In this regard, a pilot project for 'JPP'  has  been  launched  on 31.03.2022, by attaching a parcel van in Tapti  Ganga  Express (19045/46) between Surat and Varanasi. After the pilot project, timetabled JPP trains (in full rakes) were introduced w.e.f. 15.02.2023 on 13  identified  routes.  Upto  30.11.2023,  total  248  JPP  services  have been run.

******