Lok Sabha Question No. 1526 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-31
Subject: Discontinuation of Passenger Trains in Chakradharpur Railway Division
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Joba Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1526

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 31.07.2024

## DISCONTINUATION OF PASSENGER TRAINS IN CHAKRADHARPUR RAILWAY DIVISION

†1526. SMT. JOBA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  many  passenger  trains  have  been  discontinued  in  the Chakradharpur Railway Division used to run before COVID-19 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  Chakradharpur  Railway  Division  is  a  very profitable one and local labourers and farmers have been facing a lot of problems due to discontinue of passenger trains, and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to resume the train services and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d)  whether any rehabilitation scheme is proposed by the Government for  the  50  families  who  lost  their  shops  due  to  renovation  work  of Chakradharpur Railway Station complex, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c)    Indian  Railways,  with  a  view  to  provide  better  passenger safety by creating maintenance corridor blocks, minimising conflicts in existing Time Table etc., have undertaken rationalisation of Time-Table, in a scientific manner with the assistance of IIT-Bombay.  As a part of rationalisation  of  Time  Table,  the  services  of  some  trains  have  been discontinued.  Introduction  of  train  is  an  ongoing  process  over  Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability etc.

(d)  Ministry  of  Railways  has  recently  launched  Amrit  Bharat  Station scheme. 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 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  ballastless tracks etc., as per necessity, phasing and feasibility and creation of city centres at the station in the long term. So far 1324 Railway Stations, including Chakradharpur railway station, have  been  identified  for  development  under  this  scheme  over  Indian Railways. The development of land in different parts of the stations is a continuous and ongoing exercise based on the demand and requirements  of  the station.  As  per  the  provisions  of  agreement between  railway  and  people  occupying  railway  land  on  license/lease, there  is  no  provision  of  rehabilitation  and  sufficient  opportunity  has been  given  by  railway  administration  to  vacate  the  railway  land  to minimise the hardship to the people.

*****