Lok Sabha Question No. 2616 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-08-07
Subject: No Development in Palakkad Division
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2616 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2024

## NO DEVELOPMENT IN PALAKKAD DIVISION

2616. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether it is a fact that the area of jurisdiction of Palakkad division has come down drastically compared to its size during formulation;
- (b)   if so, the details thereof;
- (c)    whether  it  is  a  fact  that  the  developmental  works  are  not  being carried out under Palakkad division in proportionate to its earnings from both passenger and goods segments; and
- (d)  if so, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING 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 UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.2616  BY  SHRI  V  K  SREEKANDAN  TO  BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 07.08.2024 REGARDING NO DEVELOPMENT IN PALAKKAD DIVISION

(a) to (d): The jurisdiction of zones/divisions in Indian Railways depends upon operational requirements, addition of new line/doubling, workload etc..

During  the  formation  of  Salem  Division  in  2007,  part  jurisdiction  of Palakkad Division was transferred to Salem Division.  Since 2007, there is no change in the jurisdiction of Palakkad Division.

Railway Infrastructure Projects are taken up on the basis of remunerativeness,  last  mile  connectivity,  missing  links  and  alternate routes, augmentation of congested/saturated lines socio-economic considerations etc. depending  upon  liabilities of ongoing  projects, overall availability of funds and competing demands.

Further, the Railway projects are sanctioned Zonal Railway-wise and not State-wise/Division-wise as the Railway projects may span across State boundaries. Most of the territorial jurisdiction of Palakkad division falls in Kerala. As on 01.04.2024, 08 projects (02 new lines and 06 Doubling) of 419 Km length, costing ₹12,350 crore falling fully/partly in the State of Kerala, are in planning/approval/construction stage. An expenditure of ₹ 3,046 crore has been incurred upto March 2024.

Since  2014,  there  has  been  substantial  increase  in  fund  allocation  in State of Kerala as under:-

| Period   | Average Outlay   | Increase with respect to average allocation of 2009-14   |
|----------|------------------|----------------------------------------------------------|
| 2009-14  | ₹ 372 crore/year | -                                                        |
| 2023-24  | ₹ 2,033 crore    | more than 5 times                                        |
| 2024-25  | ₹ 3,011 crore    | more than 8 times                                        |

Contd..2/-

Also  commissioning  of  infrastructure  projects  falling  fully/partly  in  the State of Kerala is as under:

| Period   | Total Track Commissioned   | Average Track Commissioned   | Increase with respect to average commissioning during 2009-14   |
|----------|----------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2009-14  | 53 Km                      | 10.6 Km/year                 | -                                                               |
| 2014-24  | 125 Km                     | 12.5 Km/year                 | 1.18 times                                                      |

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 Kerala is held up due to delay in land acquisition and only about 62.83 Ha land has been acquired out of total requirement of about 459.54 Ha.

Railway  had  initiated  efforts  for  acquisition  of  land  but  could  not succeed in acquiring land for projects though Railway has paid ₹ 2125.61 crore to Government of Kerala for land acquisition.

Support  of  the  Government  of  Kerala  is  needed  to  expedite  the  land acquisition.

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