Lok Sabha Question No. 1132 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-07-26
Subject: Doubling of Rail Lines from Jhansi-Manikpur
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: R.K. Singh Patel

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1132 TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.07.2023

## DOUBLING OF RAIL LINES FROM JHANSI-MANIKPUR

†1132. SHRI R.K. SINGH PATEL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  steps  to  expedite  the doubling of Jhansi to Manikpur and Bhimsen to Khairadaa rail line under North Central Railway;

(b) the details of funds allocated by the Government so far for doubling the said rail line;

(c) whether the Government is likely to complete the work of doubling of the rail line by 2024; and

(d) if so, the details thereof ?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS 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. 1132 BY SHRI R.K. SINGH PATEL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 26.07.2023 REGARDING DOUBLING OF RAIL LINES FROM JHANSI-MANIKPUR (a) and  (b):  The  work  on  Jhansi-Khairar-Manikpur  and  KhairarBhimsen (425 km) doubling project has been taken up at a cost of ` 4329.53 crore.  An expenditure of ` 327 crore has been incurred up to March 2023 and ` 550 crore has been provided for the financial year 2023-24  for  the  project.    Various  steps  taken  by  the  Railways  for effective and  speedy  implementation  of  rail project include (i) substantial increase in allocation of funds, (ii) delegation of powers at  field  level,  (iii)  close  monitoring  of  progress  of  project  at  various levels (iv)  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. Since  2014,  there  has  been  substantial  increase  in  fund  allocation and commensurate commissioning of projects across Indian Railways. Average Annual Budget allocation for Infrastructure projects & safety works, falling fully/ partly in State of Uttar Pradesh, during 2014-19 has been enhanced to ` 5,278 crore per year which is 376%  more  than  Average  Annual  Budget  allocation  of ` 1,109  crore per year during 2009-14. The allocation has increased to ` 8,403 crore in  Financial  Year  2019-20  (658%  more  than  the  Average  Annual Budget allocation of 2009-14), ` 8,576 crore in Financial Year 2020-21 (673% more than the Average Annual Budget allocation of 2009-14), ` 14,128  crore  for  Financial  Year  2021-22  (1,174%  more  than  the Average  Annual  Budget  outlay  of  2009-14)  and ` 14,761  crore  in Financial  Year  2022-23  (1,231%  more  than  the  Average  Annual Budget  allocation  of  2009-14).  For  financial  year  2023-24,  highest ever  budget  outlay  of  Rs.17,507  crore  has  been  provided  for  these projects, which is 1479% more than average annual budget allocation of 2009-14 ( ` 1109 crore per year).

(c)  and  (d):  The  completion  of  any  Railway  project(s)  depends  on various  factors  like  quick  land  acquisition  by  State  Government, 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 climatic considerations etc.  All forest clearance by officials of forest department, shifting these factors affect the completion time of the project(s). During 2014-23, 3150 Km sections (204 km New line, 713 km Gauge conversion and 2233 km Doubling) falling fully/partly in the State of Uttar Pradesh have been commissioned at an average rate of 350 km per  year,  which  is  76%  more  than  commissioning  during  2009-14 (199.2 Km/Yr.)

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