Lok Sabha Question No. 121 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-04
Subject: New Train Services and Station Development
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.121 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2024

## NEW TRAIN SERVICES AND STATION DEVELOPMENT

- *121. SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  details  of  proposals  submitted  for  introduction  of  new  train services connecting various routes via Visakhapatnam including specifics such as origin and destination stations, scheduled timings, and the current status of each proposal;
- (b) the details of proposals submitted specifically for new train services originating  from  Visakhapatnam  to  other  destinations  along  with  the status  of  each  proposal  and  any  anticipated  timelines  for  approval  or implementation;
- (c) whether any proposals have been submitted to increase the number of  train  stoppages  at  stations  within  Visakhapatnam  district,  including requests for Vande Bharat train halts;
- (d)  if  so,  the  status  of  each  proposal,  train-wise  and  reasons  for  any delays in approval; and
- (e) the current status of development projects at Duvvada and Vishakhapatnam railway station including details on approved projects, funds  allocated  and  released,  as  well  as  the  progress  achieved  under each project?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (e) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF STARRED QUESTION NO.121 BY SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.12.2024 REGARDING NEW TRAIN SERVICES AND STATION DEVELOPMENT

(a) to (e)  Receipt  of  Proposals  from  Zonal  Railways,  inter  alia, pertaining to introduction of new trains and provision of stoppages of train services,  including Vande Bharat services, their examination and decision(s) of the Competent Authority thereon is an ongoing process. Accordingly, during 2023-2024, to cater to the need of passengers of Visakhapatnam area, the following 04 pairs of Vande Bharat services, namely 20833/20834 Visakhapatnam-Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express (w.e.f. 26.11.2023), 20841/20842 BhubaneswarVisakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express (w.e.f. 17.03.2024), 20707/20708 Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam Vande  Bharat Express (w.e.f. 25.08.2024), and 20829/20830 Durg-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat  Express  (w.e.f.  20.09.2024),  have  been  introduced.  Further, Amrit Bharat Express, namely 13433/13434 Malda Town-SMVT Bengaluru  Amrit  Bharat  Express  also  operates,  w.e.f.  30.12.2023  via Visakhapatnam.  In addition to these introductions, extension of 18311/18312  Banaras-Sambalpur  Express  upto  Visakhapatnam  w.e.f. 22.11.2023,  22701/22702  Visakhapatnam-Vijayawada  Udaya  Express upto  Guntur,  w.e.f.  13.01.2024,  08531/08532  Visakhapatnam-Palasa Passenger upto Brahmapur, w.e.f. 03.03.2024 and 08503/08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada Passenger upto Bhawanipatna, w.e.f. 27.12.2023, have also been done to serve the passenger of Visakhapatnam. At present, all train services passing through Visakhapatnam  Station  has  scheduled  stoppage  at  Visakhapatnam. Besides,  introduction  of  trains  and  provision  of  stoppage  of  train services on Indian Railways is an ongoing process, subject to competing demand, operational feasibility, commercial viability, etc.

Further,  Ministry  of  Railways  has  launched  Amrit  Bharat  Station scheme for development of Stations on Indian Railways. 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 such 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  ballast  less  tracks,  etc.    as  per  necessity,  phasing  and feasibility and creation of city centres at the station in the long term.

So  far,  1337  Railway  stations  including  73  stations  in  the  state  of Andhra  Pradesh  have  been  identified  for  development  under  this scheme. The stations identified for development under this scheme in the State of  Andhra  Pradesh  are  Adoni,  Anakapalle,  Anantapur, Anaparthi, Araku, Bapatla , Bhimavaram Town, Bobbili Jn, Chipurupalli, Chirala, Chittoor, Cuddapah, Cumbum, Dharmavaram, Dhone, Donakonda, Duvvada, Elamanchili ,  Eluru,  Giddalur,  Gooty,  Gudivada, Gudur,  Gunadala,  Guntur,  Hindupur,  Ichchapuram,  Kadiri,  Kakinada Town,  Kottavalasa,  Kuppam,  Kurnool  city,  Macherla,  Machilipatnam,

Madanapalli Road, Mangalagiri, Markapuram Road, Mantralayam Road, Nadikude Jn, Nandyal, Narasaraopet, Narsapur, Naupada Jn, Nellore, Nidadavolu,  Ongole,  Pakala,  Palasa,  Parvatipuram,  Piduguralla,  Piler, Rajampet,  Rajamundry,  Rayanapadu  ,  Renigunta,  Repalle,  Samalkot, Sattenapalle, Satya Sai Prashati Nilayam, Simhachalam, Singaraykonda, Sri Kalahasti, Srikakulam Road, Sullurpeta, Tadepalligudem, Tadipatri, Tenali, Tirupati, Tuni, Vijayawada, Vinukonda, Vishakhapatnam, and Vizianagaram Jn. Visakhapatnam and  Duvvada  Railway  Stations  falling  in  the  state  of Andhra Pradesh have also been identified under this scheme. Engineering,  Procurement  &  Construction  (EPC)  contract  awarded earlier  was  terminated  and  retendering  has  been  taken  up  for  the redevelopment of Visakhapatnam Railway Station.  The construction of new station building with waiting halls, foundation work of 12m Foot Over Bridge (FOB), platform surfacing work, improvement to circulating  area,  waiting  hall,  toilets,  etc.    have  started  at  Duvvada station. The details of allocation of funds for development and maintenance of stations  are  maintained  Zonal  Railway-wise  and  not  Work-wise  or Station-wise.  Passenger  amenities  are  generally  funded  under  Plan Head-53  'Customer  Amenities'.  Visakhapatnam  and  Duvvada  Railway Stations falling in the state of Andhra Pradesh come under East Coast Railway  Zone  and  the  fund  allocation  to  East  Coast  Railway  for Head-53

development and maintenance of stations under Plan 'Customer Amenities', for the year (BE 2024-25) is ₹ 671.40 Cr.

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