Lok Sabha Question No. 68 (STARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Development of Mavelikkara Railway Station
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 68 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## DEVELOPMENT OF MAVELIKKARA RAILWAY STATION

*68.  SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  current  status of  the  proposed development plan under Amrit Bharat Scheme of Mavelikkara railway station;
- (b)  whether the Government is aware that there are reports of delay under  station  development  project  in  Mavelikkara  citing  reasons  of unwillingness of contractors to take up the work;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and steps taken to address the issue; and
- (d)  the  details  of  proposed  development  projects  for  the  station  and the estimated funds that have been allocated for the same?

## 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.

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STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  68  BY  SHRI  KODIKUNNIL  SURESH  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.02.2024 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT

OF MAVELIKKARA RAILWAY STATION

(a) to (d) Mavelikkara Railway station has been identified for development under Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Presently, work has been undertaken for cover over platform, ceremonial flag, and provision of lifts at platform no. 1 and 2/3. Agencies have been fixed for  electrical  and  telecom  works.  One  contract  for  civil  works  has been terminated for non performance and the same is being retendered.  Invitation,  award  and  completion  of  contracts  is  an ongoing  process  on  Indian  Railways  and  the  same  are  monitored  at various levels and appropriate steps are taken.

The redevelopment of Mavelikkara station envisages development of concourse area,  front  porch,  circulating  area,  parking  area  etc.  It  is also planned for provision of furniture, cover over platforms, stainless steel benches, wash basins, dustbins, ceremonial flag, electrical/telecom arrangements etc.

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, optical fibre cables, gas pipe lines, 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.

The details of allocation for development and maintenance of stations are maintained zonal Railway-wise and not state-wise or station-wise or scheme-wise. Development of stations and provision of Passenger amenities  are  generally  funded  under  Plan  Head  -  53  'Customer Amenities'. Mavelikkara Railway Station falls under the jurisdiction of Southern Railway. During the year 2023-24, a total ₹ 562.72 crore has been allocated for Southern Railway.

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