Lok Sabha Question No. 2678 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-11
Subject: Progress and Timeline for Completion of the Shimoga to Shikharipura 
Phase 1 New Railway Line
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri B Y Raghavendra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2678 TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.12.2024

## PROGRESS AND TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION OF THE SHIMOGA TO SHIKHARIPURA PHASE 1 NEW RAILWAY LINE

## 2678.  SHRI B Y RAGHAVENDRA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS  be pleased to state:

- (a) the  reasons  for  the  slow  progress  in  the  construction  of  the Shimoga  to  Shikharipura  Phase  1  railway  line,  despite  the completion of land acquisition process;
- (b) the current status of the construction work on this railway line and the progress made in percentage terms;
- (c) the measures being implemented to expedite the work on this project to ensure timely completion; and
- (d) the expected timeline for the completion and operationalization of the said line?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d): Shivamogga-Shikaripura-Ranebennur  new  line  project  (103 Km) has been sanctioned  on  cost sharing  basis  with  Government  of Karnataka. Government of Karnataka has to provide  land free  of  cost …2/-

and  also  share  50%  construction  cost  of  project.  Execution  of  the project is planned in 2 phases, Phase-I is Shivamogga to Shikaripura (46 Km) and Phase-II is Shikaripura - Ranibennur (57 Km). Out of total requirement of 559 Ha land, only 225 Ha land has been handed over by State  Government  of  Karnataka.    The  work  has  been  taken  up  in available land.

Government  of  Karnataka  has  deposited  only  ₹60.26  Crore  against demand  of  ₹150  Crore  from  Ministry  of  Railways  for  this  project. However,  an  outlay  of  ₹150  Crore  has  been  provided  by  Ministry  of Railway  to this project for financial year 2024-25.

The completion of any Railway project depends on various factors like quick  land  acquisition  by  State  Government,  forest  clearance  by officials  of  forest  department,  deposition  of  cost  share  by  State Government  in  cost  sharing  projects,  priority  of  projects,  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 climate conditions etc.

Various  steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  speedy  approval  and implementation  of  rail  projects  include  (i)  prioritisation  of  projects (ii) substantial  increase  in   allocation  of  funds  on  priority  projects, …3/-

(iii)  delegation  of  powers  at  field  level,  (iv)  close  monitoring  of progress of  project  at  various  levels  (v)  regular  follow  up  with  State Governments and concerned authorities for expeditious land acquisition,  forestry  and  Wildlife  clearances  and  for  resolving  other issues pertaining to projects. This  has led  to substantial  increase  in rate of commissioning since 2014.

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