opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 6343 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Flights for Indians stranded in West Asian Countries
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Charanjit Singh Channi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6343

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  2nd April 2026 )

## FLIGHTS FOR INDIANS STRANDED IN WEST ASIAN COUNTRIES

## 6343.    SHRI CHARANJIT SINGH CHANNI Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a)  whether  it  is  a  fact  that  a  large  number  of  residents  of  Punjab  have  been  stranded  in several  West  Asian  countries  since  February  2026  due  to  the  cancellation  of  international flights amid the ongoing regional conflict;
- (b) if so, the number of Indian nationals, particularly from Punjab, reported stranded in the Gulf region as on date;
- (c)  whether the Government proposes to direct Indian carriers to operate additional special flights  from  Amritsar  and  Chandigarh  airports  to  facilitate  the  return  of  such  stranded passengers; and

(d) if so, the details of the proposed schedule of such flights and the number of passengers expected to be accommodated during March 2026?

## ANSWER

## Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (d):  From the start of the ongoing regional conflict, a total of 2,768 scheduled flights have been operated by Indian as well as foreign carriers from West Asian countries, carrying 5,59,952  passengers  to  various  airports  in  India  till  29.03.2026.  Airlines  are  continuing  to augment  services  in  line  with  demand  and  operational  feasibility  and  no  proposal  for operating additional special flights is presently under consideration.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 6342 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Mandatory Service Lane on Expressways
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sudhakar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6342 ANSWERED ON 02 ND  APRIL, 2026

## MANDATORY SERVICE LANE ON EXPRESSWAYS

## 6342.  SHRI SUDHAKAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  service  lanes  are  not being  constructed  on  expressways  built  under  the  Bharatmala Project;
- (b)  whether  the  availability  of  service  lanes  on  both  sides  of  the Yamuna Expressway has facilitated agricultural activities, ensured the safe movement of local vehicles and reduced road accidents;
- (c) whether the Government is considering amending design standards  or  guidelines  to  make  service  lanes  mandatory  on expressways being constructed as part of the Bharatmala Project; and
- (d)  if  so,  the  current  status  of  such  consideration  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor, given that service lanes are extremely important for local resident, farmers and road safety?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) National Expressways (NE)  passes  mainly  through  greenfield/ rural areas and as such service lanes are not provided as per codal provisions of Indian Road Congress (IRC).

## (b) Yamuna Expressway is not NE and is a project of the Government of Uttar Pradesh.

(c) & (d) The service lanes are generally provided for requirement of local connectivity.  Expressways are generally built on greenfield alignments  away  from  habitations  and  unplanned  development  is not encouraged. Accordingly, there is no such proposal to construct service roads along the Expressways.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6340 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Vehicle-to-Vehicle Communication System
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Adv. Adoor Prakash

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. - 6340 ANSWERED ON 2 nd  APRIL, 2026

## VEHICLE-TO-VEHICLE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

6340. ADV. ADOOR PRAKASH:

## Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  launch  Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) communication system to reduce road accidents; and

(b) if so, the details thereof and the implementation plan for the same?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) & (b)     The Government accords high priority to road safety in the country. To reduce fatalities due to road accidents and enhance road safety, Government through Ministry of Communications has earmarked  50  MHz  in  the  frequency  range  of  5875-5925  MHz  in  the National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP-2025) for Intelligent Transport System (V2X) use.

V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle)  Communication  system  enables  vehicles to  broadcast  their  status  data  (such  as  position,  speed,  etc.)  with surrounding vehicles to provide a level of situational awareness that exceeds human vision or traditional sensors like cameras, radar, etc. specially at the intersections or blind spots.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6336 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Upgradation of NH-183 from Kadavoor-Anjilimoodu stretch in Kerala
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Kodikunnil Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6336 ANSWERED ON 2 ND  APRIL, 2026

UPGRADATION OF NH-183 FROM KADAVOOR-ANJILIMOODU STRETCH IN KERALA

6336.   SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved proposals for the development, widening or upgradation of the stretch of NH-183 from Kadavoor  to  Anjilimoodu  passing  through  districts including  Kollam and Alappuzha;
- (b) if so, the details of the financial sanctions granted, including yearwise allocations and the estimated project cost;
- (c) the present status of the project including stages such as survey, Detailed Project Report, land acquisition, tendering and construction;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  will  provide  the  official  alignment  plan and details of the approved route alignment for the said stretch of NH183;
- (e)  whether  any  proposals  for  realignment,  bypasses  or  additional connectivity improvements have been received from the State Government or local authorities and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the timeline for commencement and completion of the project and the  steps  taken  to expedite  the  development  of  this  stretch  of  NH183?

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

(a)  to  (f) A proposal  for  widening  to  a  4-lane  configuration  for  the section from Kollam Bypass Junction (Km 4/200) to Anjilimoodu (Km 58/570) of NH-183 in the State of Kerala has been considered and  the project is now planned with a 4-lane configuration within an effective Right of Way (ROW) of about 20 metres so as to minimise demolition of large numbers of structures.  Contribution of the State Government is being sought in terms of utility shifting costs, including land acquisition for the utility corridor or reimbursement of State component of Goods and Services Tax, whichever is preferable for the State Government. Land  acquisition  for  the  project  has  been  initiated.  Further  action, including  consideration  of  sanction,  tendering  and  construction,  will be  taken  as  per  extant  procedures,  subject  to  availability  of  land, utility shifting and requisite statutory clearances.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6335 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Evaluation of Ethanol/Additives Blending in Diesel
Ministry: PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
Asked by: Shri Imran Masood

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6335

## EVALUATION OF ETHANOL/ADDITIVES BLENDING IN DIESEL

†6335. SHRI IMRAN MASOOD:

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢी

Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  undertaken  any  transparent  scientific  evaluation  of  the proposal to blend additives such as ethanol or isobutanol with diesel, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether such evaluation has indicated that such blending is safe in terms of its long term impact  on  engine  systems,  fuel  efficiency,  human  health  and  environment,  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (c) whether  coordinated  public  testing  results  have  been  published  in  consultation  with automobile manufacturers, engine experts and pollution control agencies and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the use of such blending has led to issues such as increased maintenance/repair costs of vehicles and changes in emission patterns in the long run and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## पेᮝोिलयम और ᮧाकृ ितक गैस मंᮢालय मᱶ रा᭔यमंᮢी ( ᮰ी सुरेश गोपी )

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM & NATURAL GAS (SHRI SURESH GOPI)

(a) to (d):Yes.Scientific evaluations on blending of ethanol with diesel have been undertaken by Public  Sector  Oil  Marketing  Companies  (OMCs)  through  their  respective  R&D  centres  in collaboration with accredited laboratories and automobile manufacturers. It  was observed that ethanol blended diesel was not meeting diesel flash point as its flash point lowered drastically due to the presence of ethanol.

While Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited has conducted a preliminary study on Iso-butanol blending with diesel, no view has yet been taken on Iso-butanol blending with diesel.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6329 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Hidising Irrigation Project
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Rudra Narayan Pany

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6329

ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026

## HIDISING IRRIGATION PROJECT

†6329. SHRI RUDRA NARAYAN PANY:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Hidising  Medium  Irrigation  Project  in  Angul  district  of  Odisha  has  been  accorded approval by the Union Government; and

(b) if so, the manner and extent of assistance likely to be provided by the Union Government to the State Government for completion of the said project?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI (SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)

(a) & (b) Water being a State subject, irrigation projects are planned, funded, executed and maintained by the State Governments as per their own resources and priorities.  Role of Government of India is limited to providing technical support, and partial financial assistance for identified projects under the ongoing schemes.

Central Water Commission (CWC) under Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga  Rejuvenation  (DoWR,  RD&GR)  provides  techno-economic  appraisal  of  major  and  medium irrigation  projects.  This  includes  assessment  of  water  availability,  examination  of  inter-State  aspects, irrigation planning, overall techno-economic viability of the project etc.

Hidsing Medium Irrigation Project in Angul district of Odisha has been appraised by the Advisory Committee of DoWR, RD&GR, Ministry of Jal Shakti in its 156 th meeting held on 03.09.2024, at an estimated cost of Rs. 332.26 crore (Price Level: 2023).  The project is not covered for central assistance under any on-going scheme of the DoWR, RD&GR.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6325 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Allocation/Utilisation of Funds under Various Schemes
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Bharat Singh Kushwah

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6325

ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026

## ALLOCATION/UTILISATION OF FUNDS UNDER VARIOUS SCHEMES

## †6325. SHRI BHARAT SINGH KUSHWAH:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the funds allocated and utilised under various Central schemes implemented by the Ministry in Gwalior Lok Sabha Constituency during 2022-23 till date, year and scheme-wise;
- (b) the reasons for slow physical and financial progress in comparison to the allocated funds under the said schemes; and
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government to ensure maximum and timely utilisation of the funds?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)

- (a)  &  (b) Details  of  central  assistance  provided  under  different  Schemes  of  Department  of  Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti during 2022-23 to 202526 for projects benefitting Gwalior Lok Sabha Constituency are given below.

|   Sl. No. | Name of Scheme/Project                                                             |   Central Assistance provided during 2022-23 to 2025-26 (in Rs. Crore) |
|-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|         1 | Riverfront development projects (2 numbers) under National Mission for Clean Ganga |                                                                 14.94  |
|         2 | The Lower Orr Project under the Ken-Betwa Link Project (KBLP)                      |                                                                902.935 |

Central assistance is provided based on the progress achieved under the project and submission of utilization certificates for funds released earlier.

- (c) The Government of India has launched SNA-SPARSH that enables just-in-time release of funds directly to implementing agencies/beneficiaries. The system reduces parking of funds, improves cash management and enhances efficiency in utilization of funds.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 6324 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Expansion of Kempegowda International Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri P C Mohan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6324

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  2nd April 2026 )

## EXPANSION OF KEMPEGOWDA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

## 6324.    SHRI P C MOHAN Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether there is any proposal under consideration for further expansion of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru to cater to growing passenger and cargo traffic and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the present passenger handling capacity and saturation limits of existing terminals at the airport including Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 and the current annual passenger traffic handled;
- (c)  the  criteria  and  benchmarks  adopted  by  the  Government  and  airport  authorities  for approving expansion of international airports based on passenger growth, cargo movement and future demand projections; and
- (d)  the  expected  timeline  and  the  master  plan  for  future  expansion  of  Kempegowda International Airport including additional terminals, runways or related infrastructure to meet the long-term aviation needs of Bengaluru and Karnataka?

## ANSWER

## Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (d): The current handling capacity of the two Terminals of Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB) is 51.5 million passengers per annum (mppa), while the traffic handled in FY26 was approximately 44.5 million passengers. The airport operator plans to increase terminal capacity to 80 mppa by 2030, along with phased expansion of taxiway and apron  infrastructure  between  2027  and  2030.  KIAB  already  has  a  2  parallel  independent runway system.

As  regards  cargo,  the  airport  has  an  existing  handling  capacity  of  over  1  million  metric tonnes(mmt), whereas the current cargo throughput is approximately 0.53 mmt.

Concession  agreements  executed  by  the  Concessioning  Authorities  and  Concessionaires typically specify  capacity  expansion triggers, where airport expansion needs to be initiated once  traffic  exceeds  certain  limit  of  installed  capacity.  Further,  airport  operators  prepare master plan and development plans relating to their expansion projects.

******
Lok Sabha Question No. 6319 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Flood Vulnerability in Kosi and Mahananda Rivers
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shri Rajesh Ranjan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6319

ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026

## FLOOD VULNERABILITY IN KOSI AND MAHANANDA RIVERS

## †6319. SHRI RAJESH RANJAN:

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has conducted any basin-level review of flood vulnerability in the Kosi and Mahananda river systems affecting the districts of Purnia Division and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  the  details  of  flood  management  projects  approved  under  Flood  Management  and  Border  Areas Programme in these districts during the last five years;

(c) the number of hydrological observation stations and flood forecasting centres operated by the Central Water Commission in the Kosi-Mahananda basin;

(d)  whether  any  infrastructural  gaps  related  to  flood  forecasting,  drainage  management  or  embankment safety have been identified and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the measures proposed to be taken to strengthen flood resilience in this region with Central assistance?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

(SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY)

(a) As per report of Central Water Commission on 'Assessment of Area Affected Due to Floods in India, 2024' based on satellite imageries data from 1986 to 2022, the total flood affected areas in Purnia division comprising four district Purnia, Araria, Katihar and Kishanganj is assessed as 2,77,815 Hectare.

(b) to (e) Flood management and anti-erosion schemes are formulated and implemented by concerned State Governments as per their priority. The Union Government supplements the efforts of the States by providing  technical  guidance  and  also  promotional  financial  assistance  for  management  of  floods  in critical  areas  through  a  centrally  sponsored  scheme,  Flood  Management  and  Border  Areas  Programme (FMBAP).

Three flood management projects in Purnia division with central assistance of Rs. 81.59 Crore have been completed under Centrally Sponsored  Scheme 'Flood Management and Border Areas Programme (FMBAP)'.

Central Water Commission (CWC) maintains 25 nos. of hydrological observation stations and 17 nos.  of  flood  forecasting  (16  level  +  01  inflow)  stations  in  the  Kosi-Mahananda  basin.  The  flood forecasting stations has been established in consultation with State Govt. /Project authorities.

In  order  to  provide  more  lead  time  to  the  local  authorities  to  plan  evacuation  of  people  and  take other remedial measures, CWC has developed basin wise flood forecasting model based on rainfall-runoff mathematical  modelling  for  7  days  advance  flood  forecast  advisory  for  all  the  forecasting  stations  in addition to short-range flood forecasts with a lead time up to 24 hours to concerned State Governments at identified locations.
Lok Sabha Question No. 6313 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Installation of Pollution Control System in TPPs
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Anto Antony

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.6313 ANSWERED ON 02.04.2026

## INSTALLATION OF POLLUTION CONTROL SYSTEM IN TPPS

6313. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a)  the  number  of  Thermal  Power  Plants  (TPPs)  in  the  country  having  adequate infrastructure to control air pollution, State-wise;
- (b) the number of TPPs in which installation of pollution-control systems are yet to be done such as emission-control equipment;
- (c) the total amount of funds allocated by the Government for installation of pollutioncontrol infrastructure in TPPs during the said period, year-wise;
- (d) the amount of funds released and utilised for this purpose during the said period, year wise; and
- (e)  the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  reduce  air  pollution  caused  by  TPPs  in  the country?

## A N S W E R

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a), (b) & (e) : The Thermal Power Plants (TPPs) are mandated to obtain Environmental Clearance from Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

Further, TPPs are regulated through grant of Consent to Establish and/or Consent to  Operate  under  the  Water  (Prevention  and  Control  of  Pollution)  Act,  1974  and  Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 by respective State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).

Furthermore,  emissions  are  monitored  in  real  time  through  Online  Continuous Emission and Effluent Monitoring Systems (OCEMS) by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) / respective State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).

(c) & (d) : No  funds  are  provided  by  Ministry  of  Power  for  installation  of  pollutioncontrol  infrastructure  in  TPPs.  Such  installations  are  financed  by  the  respective generating companies.

**************
Lok Sabha Question No. 6307 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-02
Subject: Development of Greenfield Airport in Karnataka
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Ramesh Chandappa Jigajinagi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6307

( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE  2nd April 2026 )

## DEVELOPMENT OF GREENFIELD AIRPORT IN KARNATAKA

## 6307.    SHRI RAMESH CHANDAPPA JIGAJINAGI Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION

be pleased to state:-

- (a) the current status of the Greenfield airport project at Vijayapura in Karnataka including the  details  of  land  acquisition,  infrastructure  development  and  pending  environmental clearance;
- (b) the reasons for the delay in operationalisation of the airport despite significant progress in construction works;
- (c)  whether the Government has conducted any review of the project and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  the  steps  being  taken  to  expedite  the  completion  and  operationalisation  of  the  project including the expected timeline for commencement of commercial flights?

## ANSWER

## Minister  of  State  in  the  Ministry  of  CIVIL  AVIATION            (Shri  Murlidhar Mohol)

(a) to (d): Government of India (GoI) granted 'In-Principle' approval to the State Government of Karnataka (GoK) for development of a Greenfield airport at Vijayapura. As per Greenfield Airports (GFA) Policy, 2008,  the responsibility for implementation of the Greenfield airport projects lies with the Project Proponent.The timeline for completion of the airport projects depend  upon  several  factors  such  as  land  acquisition,  R&R,  financial  closure,  obtaining mandatory clearances including environmental clearances etc.;

The development works have been completed at Vijayapura  airport. However,  a matter of grant of Environmental Clearance (EC) to this project under violation category is sub-judice before the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.

Ministry  of  Civil  Aviation  periodically  reviews  airport  projects,  including  the  Vijayapura airport project with stakeholders for their timely completion.

******