opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 782 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Stoppage of Train at Borivali/Malad
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Mohanbhai Kalyanji Kundariya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 782 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## STOPPAGE OF TRAIN AT BORIVALI/MALAD

## 782. SHRI MOHANBHAI KALYANJI KUNDARIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that a significant portion of the population in Saurashtra region resides in close proximity to Borivali and Malad Stations;
- (b)  if  so,  whether any representations have been received requesting the inclusion of stoppage for train no. 12267/68 Mumbai Central-Hapa Duranto Express at Borivali or Malad;
- (c) if so, the action taken thereon; and
- (d)  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor  and  the  estimates  time  required  for further consideration of the stoppage request?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d) Representations, including from Hon'ble Member of Parliament, have been received for provision of stoppage of 12267/68 Mumbai Central-Hapa  Duronto  Express  at  Borivali.  Borivali  station  is presently being served by 75 pairs of train services. Presently, 10 pairs of trains are providing connection for Hapa from the Mumbai area.  Malad is a sub-urban station near Borivali. Besides, provision of stoppages of trains is an on-going process on Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 780 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Techno-Economic Feasibility of K-Rail
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 780

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## TECHNO-ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF K-RAIL

## 780.  SHRI HIBI EDEN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  Government is  actively  considering  the  feasibility  of the K-Rail project in Kerala, as indicated by the repeated directives to the  Southern  Railway  to  engage  with  the  KRDCL,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has assessed the techno-economic feasibility and availability of resources for the K-Rail Project, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Railway Board has directed the Southern Railway to conduct discussions with the KRDCL in order to advance the implementation of the K-Rail project;
- (d) if  so, whether the communications from the Railway Board to the Southern Railway signify that the Government has not completely ruled out the proposal for the K-Rail Project in Kerala; and
- (e) if so, the facts in this regard ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): Silver Line Semi High Speed Rail from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod  in  Kerala  has  been  identified  by  Kerala  Rail  Development

Corporation Limited (KRDCL), a Joint Venture company  of State Government  of Kerala (51%) and Ministry of Railways (49%) for development.  After  survey,  KRDCL  has  submitted  Detailed  Project Report (DPR) of Semi High Speed Rail Project to the Ministry of Railways for approval. Sufficient details for technical feasibility are not available in  the  DPR.  Therefore,  KRDCL  has  been  advised  to  provide  detailed technical documents such as alignment plan, details of land, crossings over existing railway network, etc. to further, examine the feasibility of project.  Southern  Railway  has  been  advised  to  discuss  various  issues related to the project with KRDCL and submit their comments to Ministry of Railways for further examination.  The project is not yet sanctioned.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 775 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Road Over Bridge at Belagavi
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Suresh Chanabasappa Angadi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 775 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## ROAD OVER BRIDGE AT BELAGAVI

## 775. SHRIMATI ANGADI MANGAL SURESH:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a)  the  reasons  behind  the  abrupt  stoppage  of  the  construction  of  the second  lane  of  the  Road  over  Bridge(RoB)  in  lieu  of  LC  No:  381  in Belagavi  city  of  Karnataka,  particularly,  when  the  first  lane  of  RoB already stands constructed, after due technical approval; and

(b) the measures initiated for the early commencement and completion of it, as more than four years have elapsed since its approval?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  & (b):  The work of ROB (Road Over Bridge) is sanctioned in lieu of Level Crossing (LC) No: 381 in Belagavi City on cost sharing basis.

This is a 4-lane ROB planned to be constructed in two stages, being executed by Railway on single entity basis. The first two lanes of ROB was commissioned on 12.10.2022. The work of construction of approach towards Belagavi side of another 2-lanes ROB has been taken up.

However the work of construction of approach towards khanapur side of  another 2-lanes of ROB has been  stopped as per advice of State Govt.  State Govt.  has proposed to modify the already approved General arrangement drawing (GAD).

Revised  estimate  as  per  proposed  modification  in  GAD  has  been advised to State Govt. to State Govt.  In principle approval for sharing the revised cost is still awaited from State Govt.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 774 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: HCL
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Jayanta Kumar Roy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 774 ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## HCL

774 DR. JAYANTA KUMAR ROY:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware about the poor maintenance of guesthouse at  Hindustan  Copper  Limited  (HCL),  Khetrinagar  including  obsolete  infrastructure, dysfunctional fittings, lack of housekeeping services, unsatisfactory kitchen and dining facilities, unresponsive staff etc.;
- (b)  if so, the reasons therefor;
- (c)  whether  the  Ministry/  HCL  has  reviewed/  inspected  the  working  of  the  said Guesthouse;
- (d)   if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e)   whether as HCL is making profits, there is an urgent need for renovation/ overhaul of the Guesthouse at Khetrinagar; and
- (f)    if  so,  the  steps  being  taken/  planned  to  take  by  HCL  for  improving  the  overall functioning of the Guesthouse at Khetrinagar?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) to (f): Khetri Copper Complex (a unit of Hindustan Copper Limited) runs a small Guest  House  in  Khetri  Nagar,  Jhunjhunu  District,  Rajasthan  for  the  purpose  of accommodating  its  officers  while  in  transit  and  other  guests.  The  functioning  and maintenance of the said Guest-House is regularly inspected and reviewed by the KCC Officials.

As per information received from HCL, necessary and timely interventions are promptly taken, including, steps that have been taken to improve the facilities of the guest  house  including  installation  of  new  geysers,  painting  of  rooms,  dining  hall, kitchen  and  other  areas,  replacement  of  faulty  ACs,  linen,  crockery  and  repair  of furniture. However, renovation and maintenance of the Guest House at Khetri Nagar is a continuous process and the HCL management undertakes interventions on need basis and feedback received.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 773 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Revised Rates of Food Items
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Omprakash Bhupalsinh alias Pawan Rajenimbalkar, Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 773 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## REVISED RATES OF FOOD ITEMS

## †773. SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAWAN RAJENIMBALKAR: SHRI SANJAY JADHAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a)   whether   the   Government   has   reviewed   the   rates   of   food,   edible   items, drinks,    regional    dishes    including    tea/coffee    being    sold    by    small   sellers
- and licensee vendors at the railway stations  ;
- (b)    if    so,    whether    the    Government    has    issued    any    guidelines    in    this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)   whether   Northern   Railways   has   not   revised   the   sale   rate   fixed   in   the year 2012 despite order of Railway Board/Zonal Railway dated 27.08.2019;
- (d)    if    so,    whether    the    Government    has    conducted    any    inquiry    into    the reasons for not implementing the said order at all the railway stations/platforms of the country;
- (e)   if   so,   the   details   in   this   regard   particularly   in   Northern   railways   along with the time by which the said order is likely to be implemented;
- (f)    whether    the    Government    is    aware   that   raw   materials   are   bought   by license   holders   with   applicable   GST   and   meal/breakfast   is   being   sold   to the   passengers   without   GST   collection,   while   the   Ministries   of   Railways/ Finance is charging 15% GST on license fee;
- (g) if so, whether this is likely to affect the license holders; and
- (h)    whether    the    Government    has    received    by    proposal    to    resolve    such discrepancies and if so, the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)    to    (e):   The   tariff   of    tea,    coffee    and    standard   meals/breakfast,   etc   is fixed   by   Indian   Railways   (IR)   from   time   to   time   taking   into   consideration the various relevant factors.

……2/-

The   existing   tariff   of   tea   and   coffee   was   issued   vide   Commercial   Circular No.   53   of   2018   while   the   tariff   of   standard   meals/   items   for   static   units was issued vide Commercial Circular No. 64 of 2019.

Further, as per Catering Policy 2017, Zonal Railways have    been delegated   powers    to    fix    the    menu    and    tariff    of   a-la-carte   items   served through    static    catering    units    at    stations.    These    instructions    are    being implemented by the Zonal Railways.

(f)   to   (h):   In   respect   of   catering   units   over   Indian   Railways,   all   applicable taxes   including   GST   are   levied   as   per   the   applicable   rates   notified   by   the concerned Central /State Government Authorities from time to time.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 772 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Passport Office Seva Kendra in Jehanabad
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Chandeshwar Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF POSTS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 772 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

## PASSPORT OFFICE SEVA KENDRA IN JEHANABAD

## 772. SHRI CHANDESHWAR PRASAD:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any guidelines have also been issued to Patna Postal Circle for starting Post Office Passport  Seva  Kendra  in  Jehanabad  Parliamentary  Constituency  of  Bihar  under  the  scheme  of opening Post Office Passport Seva Kendra in all the Lok Sabha Constituencies in the country; and
- (b) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

(a) & (b) Post Office Passport Seva Kendra is functional in Jehanabad Head Post Office under Jehanabad Parliamentary Constituency.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 771 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Growth of Services and Revenue of BSNL/MTNL
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: P.R. Natarajan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 771 TO BE ANSWERED ON 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

## GROWTH OF SERVICES AND REVENUE OF BSNL/MTNL

## 771. SHRI NATARAJAN P.R.:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  drawn  a  plan  for  the  growth  of  services  and  revenue  of BSNL/MTNL;
- (b) if so, the details thereof, year and State-wise; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  estimated  manpower  required  in  regular/contractual  in  maintaining  the growth of BSNL services and the projection on the manpower in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS (SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN)

- (a) to (c) Government has taken various steps for revival of BSNL and MTNL.
-  In  2019,  first  revival  package  amounting  to  Rs.  69  thousand  Crore  was  given,  that brought down the operating costs of BSNL/MTNL.
-  In 2022, revival package amounting to around Rs. 1.64 Lakh Crore was given. It focused on infusing fresh capital, restructuring debt, viability gap funding for rural telephony etc.
-  In 2023, Government approved the allotment of 4G/5G spectrum to BSNL with the total outlay of around Rs. 89 thousand Crore.

As a result of these packages, BSNL/MTNL have started earning operating profits since FY 2020-21.

As on 31.12.2023, BSNL and MTNL have total 58,277 and 3,397 employees respectively. Manpower for different projects is based on the requirements of specific projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 770 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Dabhaura Railway Crossing
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Arun Kumar Sagar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION  NO. 770 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## DABHAURA RAILWAY CROSSING

## †770. SHRI ARUN KUMAR SAGAR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether Dabhaura railway crossing, near Dabhaura village between Tilhar-Nigoli  in  Tilhar  tehsil  of  Shahjahanpur  district  (UP)  of  Uttar Pradesh State, connects approximately 200 villages with the city;
- (b)  if  so,  whether  the  said  railway  crossing  is  the  only  route  for  the villagers  to  connect  to  the  city  and  heavy  traffic  load  daily  on  the crossing  lead  to  traffic  disruptions  for  long  hours  which  creates problems  for  villagers  in  availing  better  business,  education  and healthcare facilities;
- (c) if so, whether any steps have been taken or proposed to be taken by the  Government for construction of Railway over Bridge (ROB) at the said Dabhaura railway crossing;
- (d) whether the Government  has received requests from public representatives in this regard;
- (e) if so, the details thereof; and
- (f) the action taken or being taken in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (f): Dabhaura Level Crossing No. 334  situated at Km 1255/15-16 between  Banthra-  Tilhar  stations  is  one  of  the    six  level  crossings, which  connect nearby villages (including Dabhaura village) to the city.

The work of Road Over Bridge (ROB) in lieu of level crossing (LC) No. 334  has  been  sanctioned.  General  Arrangement  Drawing  (GAD)  has been approved.  Detailed Estimate has been sanctioned. The execution of this ROB has been taken up  by the Uttar Pradesh State Bridge Corporation Limited (UPSBCL) on single entity basis.

## *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 769 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Silver Line Project
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 769 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## SILVER LINE PROJECT

769.  SHRI V. K. SREEKANDAN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Southern Railway has expressed its inability to spare railway land for Silver Line project of Kerala Rail Development Corporation Limited (K-Rail);
- (b) whether it is also true that the proposed alignment by K-Rail was finalised without prior consultation with the Railways;
- (c) whether according to Southern Railway, the proposed alignment is quite close to the railway infrastructure and train operations would be interrupted by the dismantling and reconstruction of railway assets for the proposed project of the K-Rail, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether  the  K-Rail  has  not  considered  the  future  development needs of Railways in Kerala, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether the Silver Line track of the project of K-Rail is proposed as a  standard  gauge with a  designed speed  of 200 kmph, which is not in conformity with that of the existing railway line, if so, the details in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): Silver Line Semi High Speed Rail from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod  in  Kerala  has  been  identified  by  Kerala  Rail  Development

Corporation Limited (KRDCL), a Joint Venture company  of State Government  of Kerala (51%) and Ministry of Railways (49%) for development.  After  survey,  KRDCL  has  submitted  Detailed  Project Report (DPR) of Semi High Speed Rail Project to the Ministry of Railways for approval. Sufficient details for technical feasibility are not available in  the  DPR.  Therefore,  KRDCL  has  been  advised  to  provide  detailed technical documents such as alignment plan, details of land, crossings over existing railway network, etc. to further, examine the feasibility of project.  Southern  Railway  has  been  advised  to  discuss  various  issues related to the project with KRDCL and submit their comments to Ministry of Railways for further examination.  The project is not yet sanctioned.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 768 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Suburban Rail in Bengaluru
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: P. C. Mohan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 768 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.02.2024

## SUBURBAN RAIL IN BENGALURU

768.  SHRI P. C. MOHAN :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of the suburban rail development in Bengaluru;
- (b) the details of funds released by the Centre and State Government so far for the same;
- (c) whether the Government has received any proposal from the State Government regarding Phase 2 of the suburban rail; 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.

*****

STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  768  BY  SHRI  P.  C.  MOHAN  TO  BE ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  07.02.2024  REGARDING  SUBURBAN RAIL IN BENGALURU.

(a) to (d): Karnataka Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (K-RIDE), a Company  controlled by State Government of Karnataka  (51%  equity)  is  executing  the  Bengaluru  Suburban  Rail Project  (BSRP).    Sanction  of  Bengaluru  Suburban  Rail  Project  (148.17 Km)  has  been  accorded  by  CCEA  (Cabinet  Committee  on  Economic Affairs) in October, 2020.

BSRP  has  four  Corridors,  i.e.  Corridor-1:  KSR  Bengaluru  City  Devanahalli  (41.4  Km),  Corridor-2:  Baiyyapanahalli  -  Chikkabanawara (25.01  Km),  Corridor-3:  Kengeri  -  Whitefield  (35.52  Km)  &  Corridor-4: Heelalige  -  Rajankunte  (46.25  Km).    Land  for  corridor  2&4  have  been acquired. Tender for Corridor-2 has been awarded and construction work is  in  progress.    Tender  for  Corridor-4  has  been  awarded  recently  and resource mobilization has been started. Survey work and Geo- technical investigation has been completed for Corridor 1 & 3.

Fund  of  Rs.  1165.42  Cr.  has  been  released  by  Centre  and  State Government (Government of Karnataka - Rs. 665.42 Cr. and Ministry of Railways - Rs. 500 Cr. & 157 acre railway land for the project).

Railway has already sanctioned Final Location Survey (FLS) of the following  projects  (742  km)  to  meet  the  demand  of  commuters  from satellite towns of Bengaluru:-

- i. New  Double  Line  Circular  Rail  network  (287  Km)    around Bengaluru City connecting Nidvanda -Doddaballapur -Devanahalli - Malur - Heelalige - Hejjala - Solur -Nidvanda.
2. ii.
3. Quadrupling  between Bengaluru - Tumakuru (70 KM)
4. iii.
5. iv.
6. Doubling between Chikbanavar  - Hassan (180 KM)
7. Quadrupling  between Bengaluru - Mysoru (135 KM)
- v. Quadrupling  between Bangarapet - Jolarpettai (70 KM)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 767 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-07
Subject: Cliff Erosion in Varkala
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 767 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 7 TH  FEBRUARY, 2024

## CLIFF EROSION IN VARKALA

767. ADV.  ADOOR PRAKASH:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  pilot  study  on  cliff  erosion  in  Varkala  beach  in  Kerala  has  been completed;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the findings thereon;
- (c) if  not,  the  present  status  thereof  and  the  time  by  which  the  study  is  likely  to  be completed;
- (d) whether the Government is aware that eroding cliffs pose threat to tourists in Varkala beach and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  Ministry  is  likely  to  provide  technical  and  financial  support  for  the protection   of cliffs; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) to (c)   Yes Sir. The pilot study on 'cliff erosion in Varkala Beach, Kerala' jointly carried out by  National  Centre  for  Earth  Science  Studies  (NCESS),  Thiruvananthapuram  and National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Chennai, as per the request of Vision Varkala Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (VVIDC Ltd.), a Government of Kerala undertaking has been completed in 2023.

The project comprised of three major components viz, field data collection, numerical model studies and final recommendation for shore protection. The work on initial two components  (data  collection  and  modelling)  were  assigned  to  NCESS  and  the  third component  (recommendations  for  shore  protection)  to  NCCR.  The  Main  Report  on 'Design  of  Coastal  Protection and  Cliff Stabilisation  of  Varkala,  Kerala'  was submitted by NCCR in December 2023.

- (d) The draft geological report addressing the geological aspects and issues related to the instability of the Varkala coastal cliff and the recommendations thereof for stabilising and preserving the cliff face based on the field study and observations is in the final stages of submission.
- (e) & (f) Ministry  of  Earth  Sciences  may  contribute  towards  providing  technical  support  for design  and  project  management  services  to  the  stake  holder  for  the  implementation including possible financial support.

*****