opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 595 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Punctuality of Mail/Express/Passenger Trains
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Lata Wankhede, Smt. Shambhavi, Dr. D. Purandeswari, Shri Rajesh Verma, Shri Atul Garg

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 595

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## PUNCTUALITY OF MAIL/EXPRESS/PASSENGER TRAINS

595. DR. LATA WANKHEDE:

SMT. SHAMBHAVI:

DR. D. PURANDESWARI:

SHRI RAJESH VERMA:

SHRI ATUL GARG:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  punctuality  performance  of  Mail/  Express/ Passenger trains during the last year along with the primary reasons for delays, zone-wise;
- (b) the average occupancy rate of Vande Bharat Express trains since their introduction, routewise;
- (c)  whether any routes has low passenger load and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)  the  details  of  the  steps  being  taken  to  rationalise  Vande  Bharat fares to improve occupancy;
- (e) whether the "Vande Bharat Sleeper" version has been finalised for overnight routes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)  the  timeline  for  introducing  high-speed  rail  corridors  on  other identified routes?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (e)  Indian  Railways  makes  all  possible  efforts  to  run  trains  on time.  Several factors affect punctual running of trains which include foggy weather, path constraints, asset maintenance, alarm chain

pulling, agitations, cattle run over and other unforeseen circumstances.   Overall  punctuality  of  Mail/Express  trains  on  Indian Railways  during  2024-25  was  77.12%  and  during  2025-26  (AprilOctober) was about 80%.

The  overall  occupancy  of  Vande  Bharat  Express  trains  has  been around 100%.

The Sleeper Variant of Vande Bharat has been indigenously designed and developed.  Two such rakes have already been manufactured and are under extensive trials/commissioning.

(f) Presently, the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail (MAHSR) Project (508  km)  is  under  execution  with  technical  and  financial  assistance from  the  Government  of  Japan.   HSR  projects  are  highly  capital intensive and any decision for taking up new project is based on many factors  such  as  technical  feasibility,  financial  &  economic  viability, traffic demand and availability of funds & financing options etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 593 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Multi Model Transport of Railways
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Subbarayan K, Com. Selvaraj V

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 593

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## MULTI MODEL TRANSPORT OF RAILWAYS

## 593. SHRI SUBBARAYAN K: COM. SELVARAJ V:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state :

- (a) whether Railways has invested huge sums of money to modernize container transport and cut costs during the last five years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof along with the funds invested in such sectors during the last five years;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the investments have not cut down cost in multi-modal transport of railway and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the details of the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to audit such investments and fix accountability?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d): Container Corporation of India Limited (CONCOR), a PSU under the Indian Railways, owns and operates container trains. During the last 5 years, about Rs.3278.00 Crores were invested by CONCOR

towards capital expenditure mainly on, acquisition of specialised heavy-duty containers, higher capacity container rakes, modern container handling equipment, development/expansion of container terminals, IT infrastructure, etc.

The investments made in the container segment have resulted in reduction in first mile and last mile handling costs and transit time, and the introduction of double stack container rakes has further contributed to reduction in overall logistics cost.

The audit of Financial Statements of CONCOR is carried out by CAG appointed statutory auditors as per the laid down procedures.

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**
Lok Sabha Question No. 589 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Construction of Railway Overbridges at Nadal
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri K Sudhakaran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.589 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## CONSTRUCTION OF RAILWAY OVERBRIDGES AT NADAL 589. SHRI K SUDHAKARAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the Government  is aware  of the long-standing demand of the public for constructing a railway overbridge at Nadal, located along the Kannur-Thalassery National Highway in Kannur and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is aware that severe traffic congestion occurs for several kilometres on both sides of the railway gates each time it is closed, often until three or four trains have passed and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry into this matter and if so, the steps taken/being taken by the Government to construct a railway overbridge to ease traffic congestion and provide relief to commuters?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

## ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (c): There is a Level Crossing (LC) No. 238 (Nadal Gate Level Crossing)  on  National  Highway   (NH)   No.  66  at  km  743/100-200  in Kozhikkode-Kannur Section of Palakkad Division.

As  per  the  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MOU)  between Ministry of Railway and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways/National Highway Authority of India (MoRTH/NHAI),

MoRTH/NHAI  has  to  replace  all  LCs  on  National  Highways  by ROBs/RUBs on single entity basis at their cost. Railway has already conducted a joint inspection with NHAI and State Authorities. General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) has been approved.  Accordingly,  the  work  of  construction  of  6-lane  ROB  in lieu of LC No.238 has been taken up by NHAI. Completion of any ROB/RUB work depends on various factors like, fixing of approach alignment, approval of General Arrangement Drawing (GAD), land acquisition, removal of encroachment, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, law and order situation in the area of project / work sites, number of working months in a year for particular project / work sites due to climatic conditions etc. All these factors affect the completion time of the projects / works.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 580 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: New Mineral Policy
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Shri Manish Jaiswal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †580

ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## NEW MINERAL POLICY

†580. SHRI MANISH JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) the present status of implementation of the New Mineral Policy in the country;
- (b) the various steps taken by the Government to encourage private investment in the mining sector; and
- (c)  whether  any  special  mission  has  been  launched  by  the  Government  for  the exploration and mining of critical minerals?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) & (b) The Ministry of Mines has announced the National Mineral Policy 2019 ('NMP 2019') in March, 2019 which replaced the National Mineral Policy 2008. Subsequently, the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR Act) has been amended in the years 2020, 2021, 2023 and 2025. Through these amendments, several reforms have been implemented to encourage private investment in mining sector, which include the following:

-  Transfer of clearances through vesting in favor of new lessees in case of reauction of mines.
-  Removal of end use restrictions for auction of mines.
-  Transfer of lease without any charges.
-  Participation of private sector in exploration by notification of accredited private exploration agencies for undertaking exploration.
-  Exploration licence was introduced to attract mining companies in exploration.
-  Inclusion of discovered additional minerals in the mining lease

(c): The Government has set up National Critical Minerals Mission on 29.01.2025 with the aim to secure India's critical mineral supply chain by strengthening complete value chain, including mineral exploration and mining.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 577 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Nuclear Plant in Goa
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Captain Viriato Fernandes

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-577 ANSWERED ON  03/12/2025

## NUCLEAR PLANT IN GOA

## 577. SHRI CAPTAIN VIRIATO FERNANDES

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether there is a proposal to set up a Nuclear Plant in Goa in the near future and the Government of Goa has been taken into confidence and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government of Goa has given its consent to the proposal to set up a Nuclear Plant in Goa and if so, the location identified for setting up the plant;
- (c) whether  the  plant  is  likely  to  be  established  for  producing  power  or  also  for  military purpose; and
- (d) whether  any  environmental  impact  assessment  has  been  done  or  any  study  has  been undertaken to check the impact in case of any accident in the plant and likely impact on the State or its population and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

- (a) There  is  presently  no  proposal  to  locate  a  nuclear  power  plant  in  the  state  of  Goa. However, depending on feasibility, more of such proposals may be considered in future.
- (b)   to (d) Do not arise

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 572 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Welfare of Paddy Farmers
Ministry: CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
Asked by: Shri Kuldeep Indora

## MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA DEPARTMENT OF FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 572

TO BE ANSWERED ON 3RD DECEMBER, 2025

## WELFARE  OF PADDY FARMERS

## 'F572. SHRIKULDEEPINDORA:

Will  the Minister of CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD AND PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION be pleased to  state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  problems  faced  by  farmers  in  Sri  GanganagarHanumangarh due to the significant  delays and low  procurement of  paddy this year and if  so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure paddy procurement from  farmers;
- (c) the details of  paddy procurement  in  Sri  Ganganagar-Hanumangarh  during  the last three years including  the current year; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure the welfare of paddy farmers and eliminate the role ofmiddlemen in paddy procurement?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINISTRY  OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS. FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

(SHRIM ATI NIMUBEN JAYANTIBHAI  BAMBHANIYA)

- (a) &  (b): The procurement operations at Minimum  Support Price (MSP) is undertaken primarily by the State Government through its agencies. Government of Rajasthan has informed that in view of  no  requirement assessed for  procurement  of  paddy at  MSP  in  the  state under Decentralized procurement (DCP) mode, the State Govt. has decided not to  procure paddy during Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2025-26.
- (c): No  procurement of  paddy at MSP in the state has been undertaken during the period from KMS 2023-24 to 2025-26.
- (d): Government of  India has introduced the system of  procurement of  Paddy, Wheat &  other food grains from  farmers through  State Government's online procurement portal and has made a mandatory provision  of direct online payment of MSP by the Government procuring agencies to the farmers in their bank account preferably within  48 hours of purchase.

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Lok Sabha Question No. 571 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: BharatNet Phase-III
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Arun Bharti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 571 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## BHARATNET PHASE-III

## 571. SHRI ARUN BHARTI:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) the current status of BharatNet Phase-III (launched in Sept., 2024), its total outlay and the timeline for its completion;
- (b) the number of Gram Panchayats in Bihar, particularly in Jamui district, that have functional, highspeed BharatNet connections;
- (c) the total number of Last-Mile Service Providers (LSPs) and Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) onboarded in Bihar to provide home broadband;
- (d) the number of BharatNet Udyamis trained and certified in Jamui district; and
- (e) the  steps  being  taken  to  address  network  downtime  and  ensure  the  Operations  and  Maintenance (O&M) of the already laid fibre?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

- (a) BharatNet project is being implemented in a phased manner to provide broadband connectivity to all Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages beyond GPs on demand basis across the country. An estimated outlay approved   for Amended BharatNet Program (BharatNet Phase - III) is Rs. 1,39,579 crores and timeline for completion  of  construction  of  the  project  is  36  months  from  signing  of  Agreement  with  Project Implementation Agency (PIA). Agreement has been signed with Project Implementation Agencies (PIAs) for Twelve Packages for thirteen States and five UTs.
- (b) A total 3375 GPs in Bihar including 109 GPs particularly in Jamui district have functional high speed BharatNet connections.
- (c) & (d) Around 396 BharatNet Udyamies (BNUs) have been onboarded in Bihar to provide FTTH connections using BharatNet network. BNU could be a Village Level Entrepreneur, Internet Service Provider, Self  Help  Group (SHG), etc. Six BharatNet Udyamis have  been trained and certified by BSNL in Jamui district.
- (e) Under  Amended  BharatNet  program,  following  steps  have  been  included  to  address  network downtime and ensure the operations and maintenance (O&M) of already laid fiber:
- (i) Creation and Upgradation of BharatNet network in ring architecture
- (ii) Operations & Maintenance of the entire network based on Service Level Agreement (SLA)
- (iii) Single Project Implementation Agency (PIA) for construction and O&M of the network in a Package
- (iv) Dedicated Network Operation Centre

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 570 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Digital Literacy Schemes in Badaun
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Aditya Yadav

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 570 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## DIGITAL LITERACY SCHEMES IN BADAUN

## †570.   SHRI ADITYA YADAV:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

(a) whether many areas especially the rural areas of Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh having a population  of  over  31  lakh  have  weak  telecommunications  and  internet  infrastructure  leading  to hurdle  in  access  to  distance  education,  telemedicine,  e-governance,  and  business-related  digital services;

(b) if so, the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to expand 4G/5G mobile network coverage, broadband access to launch affordable digital literacy schemes and to provide subsidies on telecommunications equipments in Badaun district; and

- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT (DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)

(a) As of October 2025, 1,673 villages out of 1,678 villages are covered with mobile internet connectivity in Badaun district of Uttar Pradesh.

(b) & (c) Mobile coverage for any uncovered inhabited villages is provided by the Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) based on the techno-commercial viability. Government, through funding from  Digital  Bharat  Nidhi  (DBN),  is  implementing  various  schemes  for  expansion  of  telecom connectivity through installation of 4G mobile towers in uncovered villages.

In addition, BharatNet project is implemented to provide high-speed broadband connectivity such as Wi-Fi Hotspots, Fibre to the Home (FTTH) connections etc. to all the Gram Panchayats (GPs) and villages on demand basis including Badaun district.

Schemes  like  Pradhan  Mantri  Gramin  Digital  Saksharta  Abhiyan  (PMGDISHA)  were launched under the Digital India Programme to achieve digital literacy leading to training of 6.39 crore individuals across the country including 3,20,699 individuals in badaun district. Further, 7417 candidates  have  applied  under  various  digital  literacy  courses  provided  by  National  Institute  of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) in Badaun district.

Government  has  taken  various  steps  for  expansion  of  5G  services  across  the  country including  auction  of  spectrum  for  5G  mobile  services,  removal  of  spectrum  usage  charges  for spectrum acquired in auction 2022 onwards, launch of Gati Shakti Sanchar Portal and Right of Way rules to streamline permissions for installation of telecommunication infrastructure including time bound permission for use of street furniture for installation of small cells and telecommunication lines.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 567 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Train Stoppage across Kerala
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri V K Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 567 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## TRAIN STOPPAGE ACROSS KERALA

567. SHRI V K SREEKANDAN:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is a fact that the Southern Railway had discontinued a slew of stoppages during the post Covid-19 and is now considering restoring/allowing permanent additional stoppages for trains across Kerala and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether it  is  a  fact  that  at  least  a  dozen  trains  operating  in  the  State have been provided new permanent stoppages recently and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether it is a fact that the reason for the spurt in allotting permanent additional stoppages is due to demand from the commuters rather than the operational reasons and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  a  stop  is  provided  based  on  the  revenue generated from each station  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  indicating  inter alia  with  the  stations  where  stoppages  have  been  restored/additional permanent stoppages were allowed come under this category?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a)  to  (d)  With  a  view  to  contain  the  spread  of  Covid-19  pandemic,  Indian Railways  (IR)  had  discontinued  the  operation  of  all  regular  passenger carrying  trains  with  effect  from  23rd  March,  2020  and  only  special  train services were being operated.

Indian  Railways  also  undertook  rationalization  of  time  table,  including rationalisation  of  stoppages,  in  a  scientific  manner  with  the  assistance  of IIT-Bombay.  The exercise  has  been undertaken  inter  alia to provide for

better passenger safety by creating maintenance corridor blocks, speeding up  of  train  services  and  to  improve  punctuality.  Since  November-2021, Express train services are being operated as per rationalized time table.

To  facilitate  the  passengers  of  various  stations  located  in  the  State  of Kerala,  152  stoppages  have  been  provided  during  the  period  2023-24  and 2025-26 (till 25th November,2025).

Besides,  provision  of  stoppage  of  train  services  depends  on  the  traffic justification, operational feasibility including availability of extra time on the section  &  availability  of  matching  infrastructure  such  as  Platform  length etc., which is an on-going process.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 561 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Kisan Rails for Andhra Pradesh
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kesineni Sivanath, Shri Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu, Shri Daggumalla Prasada Rao

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 561

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## KISAN RAILS FOR ANDHRA PRADESH

561.

SHRI KESINENI SIVANATH :

SHRI LAVU SRI KRISHNA DEVARAYALU :

SHRI DAGGUMALLA PRASADA RAO :

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether potential circuits for movement of vegetables, fruits and other perishables are identified in consultation with State Governments  for  KISAN  Rails  especially  for  the  State  of  Andhra Pardesh;
- (b) if so, the details of the potentially identified circuits in the State of Andhra Pradesh;
- (c)  whether  operational  and  financial  feasibility  study  has  been conducted for these circuits;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (e) whether Detailed Project Report (DPR) is under preparation for any of these circuits; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND

ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (f) : Potential circuits for movement of vegetables, fruits and  other  perishables   are   identified   in   consultation    with

Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare and Agriculture/Animal  Husbandry/Fisheries  Departments  of  State Governments as well as local bodies and agencies, Mandis etc., and  services  at  applicable  tariff  are  planned  on  the  basis  of demands placed taking into consideration, operational feasibility.

Since  the  launch  of  Kisan  Rail  service  on  7 th August  2020,  a total  of  2,364  Kisan  Rail  services,  transporting  approximately 7.9  lakh  tonnes  of  perishables  and  generating  revenue  of  Rs 318.68  crores  approximately  have  been  operated  across  the country.  From  Andhra  Pradesh  towards  Assam,  Bihar,  West Bengal,  Delhi  &  Tripura,  116  services  have  been  operated, transporting 34,196 tonnes of consignment of perishables including Bananas, Mangoes, Onions etc.

*****