Lok Sabha Question No. 1808 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: New High Speed Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Gopal Jee Thakur

## GOVERNMENTOF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1808 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## NEW HIGH SPEED TRAINS

†1808.SHRIGOPAL JEE THAKUR :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  redevelopment  of  Darbhanga,  Sakri  and  Laheria  Saria railway  stations  under  Samastipur  Railway  Division  is  proposed under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether the dates for commencement and completion of the said construction work has been fixed by the Ministry along with name of the agency which is going to carry out the said work;
- (d)  if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether there is any proposal to run new High Speed Trains like Vande  Bharat,  Shatabdi  or  Duronto  Express  from  Darbhanga,  the Centre of Mithila to various metro cities of the Country keeping in mind the  increasing  number  of  passengers  and  the  inconvenience caused to them; and
- (f) if so, the time by when it is likely to be introduced?

## 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.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO.  1808  BYSHRIGOPAL  JEE  THAKURTO  BE  ANSWERED  IN LOK SABHA ON 13.12.2023 REGARDING NEW HIGH SPEED TRAINS.

(a) to (d): Ministry of Railways has launched 'Amrit Bharat Station scheme' for development of Stations on Indian Railways.Under this scheme,  1309  stations  have  been  identified  for  redevelopment wherein  Darbhanga,  Sakri  and  Laheria  Saria  Railway  stations fallingin the state of Bihar have been identified for redevelopment.

This  scheme  envisages  development  of  stations  on  a  continuous basis with a long term approach. It involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at  the  stations  like  improvement  of  station  access,  circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free Wi-Fi, kiosks for local products through schemes like 'One Station One  Product', better passenger  information systems, executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each such station.

The  scheme  also  envisages  improvement  of  building,  integrating the  station  with  both  sides  of  the  city,  multimodal  integration, amenities  for  Divyangjans,  sustainable  and  environment  friendly solutions,  provision  of  ballast  less  tracks,  'Roof  Plazas'  as  per necessity,  phasing  and  feasibility  and  creation  of  city  centres  at the station in the long term.

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, airport clearance etc. The progress also gets affected due to brown field related challenges such as shifting of utilities, (involving water/sewage lines, optical fiber 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  execution  of  these  works  have  been  entrusted  to East Central Railway.

(e) & (f) : At present, Darbhanga is being served by 98 train services which are catering to needs of the passengers. Besides, introduction  of  train  services,  including  Vande  Bharat  services, Duronto services, is an on-going process in Indian Railways.

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