opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 5383 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: International Flights from Raja Bhoj Airport and Construction of Airport at Singrauli
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Dr. Rajesh Mishra, Shri Alok Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 5383 (To be answered on the 3 rd  April 2025)

## INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM RAJA BHOJ AIRPORT AND CONSTRUCTION OF AIRPORT AT SINGRAULI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

- (a) whether the Government proposes to start international flights from Raja Bhoj airport in Bhopal, particularly to Dubai and Singapore;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;

- (c) whether the Government has any proposal to construct a commercial airport at Singrauli; and

- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

5383.

DR. RAJESH MISHRA

SHRI ALOK SHARMA

be pleased to state:-

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) & (b):The international operations of airlines are governed by the bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and the respective country. In accordance with ASA, Indian designated carriers are free to mount operations to/from any point in India to foreign destinations as per mutually agreed capacity limits, while any designated foreign airline can operate to/from a point in India if it is designated as a point of call (PoC) in the ASA.

The start of direct international flights from any point in India is purely a commercial decision of scheduled airlines on the basis of passenger demand, availability of slots, economic viability of the route and other associated factors. The Government does not interfere in the operational plans of the airlines.

- (c) & (d): Government of India has formulated a Greenfield Airports (GFA)

Policy, 2008 for development of new Greenfield airports in the country Road Development Corporation Limited for development of a Greenfield through a two stage approval process, i.e. 'Site Clearance' followed by 'InPrinciple' approval. Government of India has granted 'Site Clearance' to MD Airport in Singrauli in Madhya Pradesh. Further, Ministry of Civil Aviation has launched Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) - UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) on 21-10-2016 to stimulate regional air connectivity from unserved and underserved airports for the expansion of air services in small cities and remote areas in the country by making air travel affordable to the masses. UDAN is a market-driven ongoing scheme where bidding rounds are conducted from time to time to cover more destinations/ stations and routes. There is an airstrip at Singrauli, which is available in the list of unserved airports under RCS-UDAN. However, none of the airline bidders has so far submitted the proposal for the operation of RCS flights from Singrauli airstrip.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 5378 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Jal Jeevan Mission in Assam
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Pradyut Bordoloi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF DRINKING WATER & SANITATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5378

ANSWERED ON 03/4/2025

## JAL JEEVAN MISSION IN ASSAM

## 5378. SHRI PRADYUT BORDOLOI:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the audit ordered by the State Government of Assam on the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) has concluded and if so, the details and findings thereof along with the action taken thereon;
- (b) if not, the time by which an action is likely to be taken;
- (c) whether Assam has accomplished hundred per cent coverage of households with tap water supply by the 2024 deadline and if not, the reasons therefor along with the expected timeline for achieving universal coverage;
- (d) the number of households in Assam provided with tap water connections along with the number of these taps that are currently non-functional; and
- (e) the details of the funds that Assam owes to contractors under JJM that have not yet been released along with the timeline fixed for their release?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI V. SOMANNA)

- (a) & (b) As reported by Government of Assam, the audit ordered by the State Government of Assam on the Jal Jeevan Mission has been conducted by the Centre for Urbanization, Buildings &  Environment  (CUBE),  IIT  Madras.  The  Government  of  Assam  will  take  action  after submission of final report by CUBE IIT Madras.
- (c) As on date, the coverage of households under JJM in Assam is 81.48% which is higher than the national average. In some difficult and hilly area, works under JJM in Assam could not be completed within 2024 due to various reasons, some of which are restriction of works in rainy season and floods.

During Union Budget speech 2025, Hon'ble Finance Minister has announced the extension of JJM upto 2028 with enhanced outlay. Government of Assam has committed to complete all the pending works within that period.

- (d) As reported by Government of Assam on JJM IMIS, a total of 58.87 Lakhs functional household tap connections have been provided in the State, till 28 th March, 2025.
- (e) The details of amount of fund that Government of Assam owes to Contractors under JJM, is not maintained at Central level.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5377 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Regional Air Connectivity under UDAN Scheme
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Smt. Jyotsna Charandas Mahant, Dr. Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 5377

(To be answered on the 3 rd  April 2025)

## REGIONAL AIR CONNECTIVITY UNDER UDAN SCHEME

5377. SMT JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT DR. AMAR  SINGH

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the number of new regional airports and air routes operationalised under
- the UDAN scheme in 2024-25;
- (b) the financial assistance provided to airlines and airport operators for improving regional air connectivity; and
- (c)  the  challenges  faced  by  the  Government  in  ensuring  the  long-term financial viability of UDAN routes and the steps being taken to address them?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a)  to  (c):  04  airports,  02  heliports  and  66  RCS  routes  have  been operationalised during the year 2024-25 under the Regional Connectivity Scheme-Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik (RCS-UDAN) .

Regional air connectivity is envisioned under UDAN by supporting Selected Airline Operators (SAOs) through concessions by the Central Government, State Governments/UTs and airport operators to reduce the cost of operations on regional routes and providing financial (Viability Gap Funding or VGF) support to meet the gap.

The challenges being faced in implementing the UDAN routes are demand fluctuations,  high  operational  costs,  weather  disruptions,  airport  slot constraints, low passenger demand and airline consolidation. In order to improve long term sustainability of the routes and to address these issues, the government provides viability gap funding (VGF) to airlines, supports the upgrading of regional airports, and encourages operational flexibility. Further, eligible routes that were discontinued in the past rounds due to various reasons such as airline failure, have also been re-bid, awarded and

- operationalised in the subsequent rounds.
- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 5373 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Promotion of Tribal Handicrafts
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. M P Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 5373

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 03.04.2025

## PROMOTION OF TRIBAL HANDICRAFTS

## 5373. DR. M P ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is taking special initiatives to promote the commercial viability of tribal handicrafts in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the financial assistance, skill development programmes and marketing support extended to tribal artisans;
- (c) whether the Government has collaborated with e-commerce platforms and international markets to enhance the reach of tribal handicrafts and if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the total funds allocated and utilized for promotion of tribal handicrafts during the last five years; and
- (e) the steps taken to ensure that middlemen do not exploit tribal artisans and they receive fair prices for their products?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRIBAL AFFAIRS (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a) to (e) Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd. (TRIFED) is the implementing 'Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Vikas Mission' (PMJVM) scheme of Ministry of Tribal Affairs for socio-economic development  of  tribal  communities  across  the  country.  Under  PMJVM,  empanelment  of  tribal  artisans  and procurement of various tribal products from them is the core initiative for generating livelihood opportunities.

As part of achieving the above core initiative, TRIFED undertakes retail marketing of tribal products through TRIBES India Outlets, E-Commerce & Exhibitions. TRIFED has integrated its in-house brand, Tribes India,  into  the  Open  Network  for  Digital  Commerce  (ONDC)  and  through  buyer  apps  of  ONDC,  the  tribal products are available for purchase by consumers. Besides, for expanding market reach of these products TRIFED plans to list these products on online marketplaces.

Additionally, under the scheme of PMJVM, financial assistance up to Rs. 15 lakhs is provided to State Implementing Agencies for training, value addition of MFP, farm, and non-farm products and produces. This equips tribal communities associated with VDVKs with the necessary skills to engage in value-addition activities and generate sales, supporting their livelihood and fostering self-reliance.
Lok Sabha Question No. 5369 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Project for Water Supply in Machilipatnam City
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Balashowry Vallabhaneni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5369 TO BE ANSWERED ON APRIL 03, 2025

## PROJECT FOR WATER SUPPLY IN MACHILIPATNAM CITY

## NO. 5369. SHRI BALASHOWRY VALLABHANENI:

Will the Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) the date of the proposal of the project to provide water supply to Machilipatnam city in Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh with an estimated cost of Rupees thirty crores;
- (b) whether it is true that the project is still ongoing;
- (c) if so, the reasons for its delay along with the time by which the said project is likely to be completed; and
- (d) whether there is any cost and time overrun of the project and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

(a) to (d): As reported by the State of Andhra Pradesh State, one water supply project worth ₹30.41 crore has been taken up in Machilipatnam city under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT). The Project was approved by the Apex Committee of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) on 21.10.2015. The State Government has informed that the project was initially scheduled for completion in September, 2019 but  was  completed  in  October  2024.  The  delay  was  due  to  Covid-19 pandemic, non-availability of construction materials, etc. There was no cost overrun of the Project.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 5366 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: User Development Fee
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Adhikari Deepak Dev

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 5366

(To be answered on the 3 rd  April 2025)

## USER DEVELOPMENT FEE

## 5366. SHRI ADHIKARI DEEPAK DEV

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the details of the agency/authority who collects the User Development Fee; and
- (b) the details of the total amount collected on account of User Development Fee during the last five years, year and fee collector-wise?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) : Government of India has set up an Independent Economic Regulator namely, Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA) under the AERA Act, 2008. AERA determines aeronautical charges of all the major airports such as landing, parking and User Development Fee (UDF) inter-alia considering the factors such as Return on Investment for aeronautical assets, Operating expenditure, Depreciation,Tax, etc. For non-major airports, UDF is approved by Ministry of Civil Aviation.

The UDF is collected by Airlines on behalf of Airport Operators and the same is credited to the Airport Operator by the Airlines.

- (b): Details of UDF in respect of Major Airports where UDF was collected during last five years is at Annexure.
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Lok Sabha Question No. 5364 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Ring Road on NH 161AA
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Suresh Kumar Shetkar

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the State Government of Telangana has sent proposals requesting to  expedite  the  northern  part  of  the  Regional  Ring  Road  from  Choutuppal  to Sangareddy in the State comprising one hundred fifty-nine kilometers, which is declared as NH-161AA and included in Bharatmala Phase-I;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon along with the funds sanctioned/ spent till now; and
- (c) the reasons for delaying the project?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

- (a) to (c) For the development Regional Ring Road (RRR) of Hyderabad, the work for  consultancy  services  for  preparation  of  Detailed  Project  Report  (DPR)  has been awarded. The alignment for Northern part of Regional Ring Road has been finalised.

Development  of  National  Highways  is  a  continuous  process.  Government keeps on receiving proposals from various State Governments including from the National Highways. Decision for project implementation and investment is taken based on the  outcome of  DPR,  requirement  of  connectivity,  inter-se  priority  and  synergy

State of Telangana for declaration/ upgradation/development of with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5364 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  APRIL, 2025

## RING ROAD ON NH 161AA

5364.   SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 5362 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Electrified  Houses under SAUBHAGYA in Kerala
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5362 ANSWERED ON 03.04.2025

## ELECTRIFIED HOUSES UNDER SAUBHAGYA IN KERALA

## 5362.   SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the total number of houses electrified under the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har  Ghar  Yojana  SAUBHAGYA  in  the  country  and  the  total  number  and  percentage  of  the households electrified through the installation of solar energy systems under the said scheme;
- (b) the  details  of  the  number  of  households  electrified  under  SAUBHAGYA  Scheme  in  the State of Kerala through installation of solar power systems, district-wise; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  funds  allocated/released  and  utilized  in  the  State  under  SAUBHAGYA Scheme during the last five years and the current year, year and district-wise?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a)  &  (b)  :  Government  of  India  (GoI)  launched  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Sahaj  Bijli  Har  Ghar  Yojana (SAUBHAGYA)  in  October,  2017  with  the  objective  of  providing  electricity  connections  to  all willing un-electrified households in rural areas and all willing poor households in urban areas in the country.  All works sanctioned under SAUBHAGYA have been successfully completed and the scheme stands closed as on 31.03.2022. As reported by the States, around 2.86 Cr. households were  electrified  during  the  SAUBHAGYA  period  at  the  National  level,  out  of  which  4,70,415 households i.e.  1.64%  of  total  households,  were  electrified  through  installation  of  Solar  energy systems.

As reported by Kerala State Electricity Board Limited (KSEBL), there were no household in the State of Kerala that were electrified under SAUBHAGYA through installation of solar power systems.

- (c) : Funds under the SAUBHAGYA scheme were sanctioned at DISCOM level and accordingly the funds  were  released  to  them.  The  details  of  funds  released  and  utilized  in  the  State  of  Kerala under SAUBHAGYA in the last five years and during the current financial year are as follows:

(Rs. in Cr.)

| Financial Year   | Central Govt. Grant released   | Central Govt. Grant expended   |
|------------------|--------------------------------|--------------------------------|
|                  | 26.12                          | 2019-20 26.12                  |
| 13.27            | 13.27                          | 2020-21                        |
| 11.75            | 11.75                          | 2021-22                        |
| -                | -                              | 2022-23                        |
| -                | -                              | 2023-24                        |
| -                | -                              | 2024-25                        |

*********
Lok Sabha Question No. 5358 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: PM Gati Shakti in Jharkhand
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Chandra Prakash Choudhary

be pleased to state:

the  current  status  of  connectivity  in  various  States  and  Union Territories  of  the  country,  particularly  in  the  State  of  Jharkhand under PM Gati Shakti Projects?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

The Government in Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is primarily responsible for development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs). All the NHs development projects are planned in line  with  PM  GatiShakti  National  Master  Plan  (NMP)  Principles.  At present, 1,310 NHs projects in 31,187 km length costing ₹8.11 Lakh crore are under construction in the country, out of which 17,104 km length  is  completed.  These  projects  are  under  various  stages  of construction  with  scheduled  completion  in  a  phased  manner  by

Financial Year (FY) 2028-29.

Out of above mentioned projects, 29 NHs projects in 838 km length costing ₹19,439 crore are under construction in the State of Jharkhand, out of which 482 km length is completed. These projects are under various stages of construction with scheduled completion in a phased manner by FY 2026-27.

*****

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5358 ANSWERED ON 03 RD  APRIL, 2025

PM GATI SHAKTI IN JHARKHAND

†5358.   SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH CHOUDHARY:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
Lok Sabha Question No. 5356 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-04-03
Subject: Bilateral Air Service Agreements for Rajasthan
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Dushyant Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 5356

(To be answered on the 3 rd  April 2025)

## BILATERAL AIR SERVICE AGREEMENTS FOR RAJASTHAN

## 5356. SHRI DUSHYANT SINGH

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  the  details  of  new  bilateral  air  service  agreements  signed  by  the Government that include Rajasthan as a key destination along with the international airlines that have shown interest in expanding operations in the State;
- (b) whether the Government has received any specific requests from foreign airlines  including Singapore to increase flight frequencies to and from Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof along with the factors being considered in reviewing the said requests;
- (c) the details of the expected economic benefits of expanded bilateral air service agreements for Rajasthan, particularly in terms of tourism, trade and investment; and
- (d) whether any special provisions or incentives are being considered by the Union Government or the State Government to attract more international airlines to operate in Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (d) The international operations of airlines are governed by the bilateral Air Services Agreement (ASA) between India and the respective country. In accordance with ASA, Indian designated carriers are free to mount operations to/from any international airport including airports in Rajasthan to foreign destinations as per mutually agreed capacity limits, while any designated foreign airline can operate to/from a point in India if it is designated as a point of call (PoC) in the ASA.

At present, the Government of India promotes more international operations by Indian carriers from non-metro points either directly or through their own domestic operations. Accordingly, new non-metro points including points in Rajasthan are not being granted as PoC in the ASA to any foreign country. Jaipur in Rajasthan is available as a PoC for certain countries including Singapore. The government has provided an enabling environment for growth of civil aviation sector but, it does not interfere in the operational plans of the airlines. Airlines are free to select whatever markets and network they wish to service and operate within the ambit of bilateral agreements. The airlines provide air services to specific places depending upon the passenger demand, availability of slots, economic viability of the route and other associated factors.

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