Lok Sabha Question No. 1727 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-13
Subject: Track Expansion
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dayanidhi Maran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1727 TO BE ANSWERED ON 13.12.2023

## TRACK EXPANSION

## 1727.  SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  new  projects  proposed  or  underway  for  track  expansion  in Tamil Nadu and the details of funds allocated, scope of work and timelines for the various projects;
- (b) the  manner in  which  the  doubling  of  tracks  on  the  ChengalpattuArakkonam  section  is  likely  to  impact  existing  suburban  train services, especially beyond Thirumalpur;
- (c) whether  there  are  any  plans  to  enhance  suburban  passenger services in the light of these track-doubling projects and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether track-doubling projects align with the broader vision and future plans of the Railways for the Southern Railway region;
- (e) if  so,  whether  there  are  considerations  for  seamless  integration with other ongoing or upcoming railway projects in the vicinity; and
- (f)      if so, the details thererof?

## 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. 1727 BY SHRI DAYANIDHI MARAN TO BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  13.12.2023  REGARDING  TRACK EXPANSION

(a): Railway  projects  are  sanctioned  and  taken  up  Zonal  Railwaywise  and  not  State-wise  as  the  Indian  Railway's  projects  may  span across various State boundaries. Survey of total 20 projects (04 new line and 16 doubling) of total length 1803 Km falling fully/partly in the State  of  Tamil  Nadu  have  been  sanctioned  during  last  three  year (2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23 and current Financial Years 2023-24).

Railway infrastructure projects falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil  Nadu  are  covered  under  Southern  Railway  (SR),  South  Central Railway  (SCR)  and  South  Western  Railway  (SWR)  zone  of  Indian Railways.

Since  2014,  there  has  been  substantial  increase  in  Budget allocation  and  commensurate  commissioning  of  projects.  Budget allocation for infrastructure and safety projects falling fully/ partly in the State of Tamil Nadu has been enhanced to highest at  6,080 crore in current financial year (2023-24), which is nearly seven times of the budget allocation of  922 crore in 2013-14.

Though  fund  allocation  has  increased  manifold  but  pace  of execution  of  project  is  dependent  on  expeditious  land  acquisition. Railway acquires the land through State Government. State Government   assesses   the  compensation   amount   and   advises  to

Railway.  On  receipt  of  demand  from  State  Government,  Railway deposits compensation amount with concerned District Land acquisition  Authority.  Execution  of  important  infrastructure  projects falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu is held up due to delay in land acquisition and only about 624 Ha land has been acquired out of total  requirement  of  about  1832 Ha.  Railway  had  initiated  efforts  for acquisition  of  land  but  could  not  succeed  in  acquiring  land  for projects.  Support  of  the  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  is  needed  to expedite the land acquisition.

As on  01.04.23,  23  projects  (09  new  line,  03  Gauge  conversion and 11 doubling) of total length 2,848 Km costing 35,580 crore falling fully/partly in the State of Tamil Nadu are in planning/approval/construction stage. Out of which, 839 km length has been commissioned. These include:-

-  9 New Line projects covering total length of 871 km at a cost of 14,682  crore,  out  of  which  18  km  length  has  been commissioned.
-  3 Gauge Conversion projects covering total length of 748 km at a cost of  5,224 crore, out of which 583 km length has been commissioned.
-  11  Doubling  projects  covering  total  length  of  1,229  km  at  a cost  of 15,674  crore,  out  of  which  238  km  length  has  been commissioned.

During 2014-23, 1227 km sections (18 km New Line, 456 Km of Gauge Conversion  and  753  km  of  Doubling)  falling  fully/partly  in  the State  of  Tamil  Nadu  have  been  commissioned  at  an  average  rate 136.33 km per year.

The  completion  of  any  Railway  project  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 site, number of working months in a year for particular project site  due  to  climatic  conditions  etc.    All  these  factors  affect  the completion time of the project. With above constraints, every effort is being made to execute the project(s) expeditiously.

(b) to (f): Survey  of  Chengalpattu  -  Arakkonam    doubling  (68  Km) work  has  been  sanctioned.  Doubling  enhances  throughput  of  the section and it is as per the broader plan of Indian Railways to enhance railway network capacity in high traffic areas.

Introduction  of  trains  including  EMU  services  is  an  ongoing process  on  Indian  Railways  subject  to  operational  feasibility,  traffic pattern, availability of resources etc.

All projects are planned with careful consideration of the comprehensive development requirements of the region. Additionally, there is careful planning for smooth integration with nearby ongoing or upcoming railway projects.

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