opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 126 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Progress of Kochi Metro Rail Project
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Hibi Eden

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 126

## TO BE ANSWERED ON JANUARY 29, 2026

## PROGRESS OF KOCHI METRO RAIL PROJECT

## NO.  126.   SHRI HIBI EDEN :

Will the Minister of Housing And Urban Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the  finalisation  of  the  selection  of  routes  for  the  third  and fourth phases of Kochi Metro has been completed, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the timeline fixed in this regard;
- (b) whether a funding model has been established for the third and fourth phases  of  Kochi  Metro,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor along with the timeline fixed in this regard;
- (c) whether any proposals from the State Government of Kerala related to the third and fourth phases of Kochi Metro are pending, if so, the details and the current status thereof;
- (d) whether  other  development  plans  for  income  generation  to  Kochi Metro  Rail  Limited  (KMRL)  have  been  decided,  if  so,  the  details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the timeline fixed in this regard;
- (e) whether the completion date of the second phase of Kochi Metro has been fixed, if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons  thereof along with the timeline fixed in this regard; and
- (f) whether KMRL has initiated the  procurement  process  for  additional trains  as  part  of  its  expansion  plans  in  Phase  II  and  Phase  III development projects, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor along with the timeline fixed in this regard?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

(a) to (c) No. This Ministry has not received any proposal for the third and fourth phases of Kochi Metro from state government of Kerala.

…2/-

- (d) Kochi  Metro  Rail  Limited  (KMRL)  is  taking  several  initiatives  to enhance non fare box revenue and to monetize the available assets to the maximum possible extent. The major initiatives under taken includes the following:
- Semi naming rights/Co-Branding of Metro Stations
- Advertisement in Metro Trains, on Metro Pillars and Right inside and outside the metro stations
- Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) Leasing
- Development of allied infrastructure such as parking facilities
- Campaigns and sponsorships, including Film shooting permissions
- Rental income from commercial and office spaces
- Land monetization
- Development of link bridges
- Operation of feeder service such as Autos & Buses
- Licensing of space for Telecom Tower
- Licensing of space for EV Charging Stations
- (e) & (f) Kochi Metro Phase II project is having route length of 11.2 km which  includes  procurement  of  two  trains.  As  per  sanction  order,  the project is to be completed within 4 years from the date of sanction of the Project.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 122 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Loans under Adivasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana
Ministry: TRIBAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 122

TO BE ANSWERED ON: 29 th  JANUARY 2026

## LOANS UNDER ADIVASI SHIKSHA RRINN YOJANA

## 122. Shri Asaduddin Owaisi:

Will the Minister of TRIBAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that the applications for educational loans under the Adivasi Shiksha Rrinn Yojana (ASRY) are often delayed or rejected, if so, the reasons therefor;

(b) whether the Government is aware that many beneficiaries are asked for collateral for obtaining educational loans under the scheme, if so, the details of grievance redressal mechanism in place;

(c)  whether  the  Government  is  taking  steps  for  effective  awareness  dissemination  under  ASRY  including facilitation by educational institutes, if so, the details thereof; and (d) whether the Government is aware that the loan disbursement under ASRY is skewed across the country which is disproportionately affecting students in remote areas, if so, the specific steps taken to rectify this imbalance?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (TRIBAL AFFAIRS) (SHRI DURGADAS UIKEY)

(a)  National  Scheduled  Tribes  Finance  and  Development  Corporation  (NSTFDC),  a  Central  Public  Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, extends concessional loans to the eligible Scheduled Tribe persons for undertaking any income generation activities/ self-employment including education loan under the  Adivasi  Shiksha  Rrinn  Yojana  (ASRY).  All  the  schemes  of  NSTFDC  are  implemented  through  various implementing  agencies  across  the  country.  The  loan  proposals  are  received  by  NSTFDC  through  the implementing agencies. Till date, NSTFDC has not rejected any application of education loan received as per norms of the Corporation.

(b) As mentioned, the scheme implementation is done through the implementing agencies as per their prescribed norms. NSTFDC does not seek any collateral from the students for obtaining Education Loan.

(c) NSTFDC conducts regular awareness camps in coordination with its implementing agencies for disseminating information  about  its  schemes  including  the  Education  Loan  Scheme.  However,  the  Corporation  has  not conducted any scheme-specific awareness camp.

(d) NSTFDC is getting Education Loan proposals only from a few States. From time to time, the Corporation takes  up  the  matter  of  scheme  implementation  with  the  State  Implementing  agencies  for  improving  the performance of the schemes in the States.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 110 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Artificial Intelligence (AI) in MSME Industries
Ministry: MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES
Asked by: Dr. Raj Kumar Chabbewal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

## LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 110

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.01.2026

## ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN MSME INDUSTRIES

110. DR. RAJ KUMAR CHABBEWAL:

Will the Minister of MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has conducted any analysis on the impact of the use of Artificial Intelligence  (AI)  on  the  various  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises  (MSME)  industries  in  the country, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore; and
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  taking  any  measures  to  incentivise  and  encourage  the  use  of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the various MSME industries in the country, if so, the details thereof; and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

(a) and (b): The Government of India is taking several measures to encourage the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME). The India AI Mission is a comprehensive initiative, approved by the Government on 7 th March, 2024 with a budgetary  outlay  of  ₹10,371.92.  India  AI  Mission  encompasses  key  pillars  of  the  Al  ecosystem including, India AI Compute Capacity, India AI Innovation Centre, India AI Datasets Platform, India AI Application Development Initiative, India AI Future Skills, India AI Startup Financing etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 107 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Disruptions of Schedules of IndiGo Flights
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri S Venkatesan, Shri Naveen Jindal

107.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 107

(To be answered on the 29 th January 2026)

## DISRUPTIONS OF SCHEDULES OF INDIGO FLIGHTS

SHRI S VENKATESAN

SHRI NAVEEN JINDAL

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

- (a) the reasons for the mass cancellations and disruptions of schedules of IndiGo Airlines flights causing hardships to passengers in December 2025;
- (b) the total number of flights cancelled/rescheduled during this period;
- (c) the action taken by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in this regard; and
- (d) whether the airline has complied with the instructions of the DGCA regarding staff requirements, rest periods and other operational norms and if so, the present status thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a): The primary causes for the disruption  of schedules of IndiGo Airlines during December,  2025,    were  over-optimisation  of  operations,  inadequate  regulatory preparedness along with deficiencies in system software support and shortcomings in  management  structure  and  operational  control  on  the  part  of  M/s  Indigo.

Additionally, during December 2025, flights were cancelled due to adverse weatherrelated issues by all airlines.

(b) A total of 6890 flights were cancelled during December 2025.

- (c) to  (d):  Due  to  the  large-scale  delays  and  cancelations  reported  by  M/s  Indigo between 3rd and 5th December 2025, stringent actions have been taken against IndiGo. Details are as follows:

i. DGCA has issued cautions and warnings to senior management of M/s IndiGo for deficiencies  in  oversight,  planning  and  implementation  of  revised  FDTL  norms, directed  removal  of  the  concerned  SVP  from  operational  responsibilities,  and instructed the airline to take further action and submit a compliance report. ii. A onetime financial penalty of Rs. 22,20,00,000 (Rupees Twenty-Two Crore Twenty Lakh only)  imposed  on  M/s  IndiGo  Airlines  for  noncompliance  with  directions  issued under Rule 133A of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. iii. Indigo has further been directed to furnish a bank guarantee of Rs. 50 crore in favour of DGCA to ensure compliance with directives and long-term systemic corrective measures.

IndiGo has formally assured DGCA that it will have sufficient pilots and crew to meet  operational  requirements  without  exemptions  after  February  10,  2026.  It expects  to  maintain  operational  stability  and  avoid  further  cancellations  once temporary relaxations expire

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Performance of Krishi UDAN Scheme
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Arvind Dharmapuri

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 105

(To be answered on the 29 th January 2026)

## PERFORMANCE OF KRISHI UDAN SCHEME

## 105. SHRI ARVIND DHARMAPURI

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

- (a) the quantity (in tonnes) of agricultural and perishable cargo transported under Krishi UDAN scheme during the last five years, route-wise;
- (b) the  key  commodity categories transported and the details of the States  that benefited from the said scheme;
- (c) whether the said scheme has reduced logistics time and improved farm gate realisations and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the steps taken to strengthen Krishi UDAN hubs and cold-chain linkages across the country, particularly in Telangana?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) to (d) The quantity of agricultural and perishable cargo transported in India during the last five years is as follows:

| FY      |   Quantity (in Million Metric Tonnes) |
|---------|---------------------------------------|
| 2020-21 |                                  0.21 |
| 2021-22 |                                  0.27 |
| 2022-23 |                                  0.27 |
| 2023-24 |                                  0.29 |
| 2024-25 |                                  0.32 |

Krishi Udan is a convergence scheme of various initiatives by eight Ministries/Departments namely Ministry of Civil Aviation, Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Ministry of Development of North-Eastern. The purpose of the Scheme is to ensure seamless, cost effective, time-bound air transportation and associated logistics for all Agri-produce including horticultural produce, fishery, livestock, and processed products originating especially from Northeast, hilly and tribal regions of the country, so that it improves their  value  realisation.  All  perishable  commodities  are  covered  under  the  Krishi Udan  Scheme  in  the  country  which  includes  horticulture,  fishery,  livestock  and processed products. Further, Hyderabad airport has state-of-the-art cool container yards and chiller rooms within required temperature ranges for temperature sensitive shipments like pharma, perishables, food products etc.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 101 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Status of NH-183 and NH-185 in Kerala
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Adv Dean Kuriakose

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 101 ANSWERED ON 29 th  JANUARY, 2026

## STATUS OF NH-183 AND NH-185 IN KERALA

101.     ADV DEAN KURIAKOSE

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री

- (a)  The  current  progress  and  status  of  NH-183  MundakkayamKumily and NH-185 Adimali-Kumily Highway in Kerala;
- (b) Whether the Government has given the approval for alignments and  also  for  the  Detailed  Project  Reports  for  the  land  acquisition project to be initiated; and (c) If so, the details thereof.

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to (c)  NH-183 from Kollam to Kumily (Kerala-Tamil Nadu border) has  a  total  length  of  about  215  km.  This  stretch  was  initially planned as a two-lane carriageway with paved shoulders; however, based on present traffic levels, it has been decided on 04.02.2025 to develop it as a four-lane highway. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) submitted  for  the  Kollam-Anjilimoodu  stretch  is  under  scrutiny, particularly in view of high cost of land acquisition and the presence of  residential structures in congested locations. For the remaining stretch  from  Anjilimoodu  to  Kumily  (Kerala-Tamil  Nadu  border), preparation of DPR has been taken up.

NH-185 from Adimali (on NH-85) to Kumily (on NH-183) has a length of  about  96  km.  Land  acquisition  was  initiated  with  issue  of notification under Section 3A of the National Highways Act, 1956 in March  2022.  Subsequently,  the  proposed  Right  of  Way  (RoW)  was revised to 30 m and a fresh Section 3A notification was issued in December 2024. The revised alignment was approved on 14.08.2024. Considering existing traffic levels and high land acquisition costs, it has been decided to examine restriction of the proposed RoW to 18 m or up to a maximum of 24 m. The project is being recast for appraisal & sanction.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 100 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Upgradation of Bagdogra Airport
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Raju Bista

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 100

(To be answered on the 29 th January 2026)

## UPGRADATION OF BAGDOGRA AIRPORT

100.

SHRI RAJU BISTA

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

- (a) the  details  of  ongoing  and  proposed  infrastructure  development  works  at Bagdogra Airport;
- (b) the details of the funds sanctioned and released for the expansion of terminal building, parking and runway extension; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  set  any  timeline  for  the  completion  of  these projects and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) & (b): The Airports Authority of India has undertaken the development of New Civil  Enclave  at  Bagdgora  Airport  at  an  estimated  cost  of  Rs.1549  crore.  The development works include construction of a New Terminal Building with an annual capacity  to  handle  10  million  passengers,  construction  of  an  Apron  capable  of accommodating  10  parking  bays  suitable  for  A-321  type  aircraft,  link  taxiways Multi-Level Car Parking and allied works.
- (c): The projected date of completion for the project is March, 2027. However, the timeline for completion of the airport projects depends upon many factors such as land acquisition, availability of mandatory clearances, financial closure etc.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 93 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Cancellation of Alliance Air Flight
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Shri Matheswaran V S

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 93

(To be answered on the 29 th January 2026)

## CANCELLATION OF ALLIANCE AIR FLIGHT

## 93. SHRI MATHESWARAN V S

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether the Government has received any complaint from the Members of Parliament regarding cancellation of Alliance Air flight 91-513 on 25.12.2025 in Bengaluru-Salem sector and if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon;
- (b) whether it is a fact that Alliance Air refused to pay compensation as per para 3.3.2 of Civil Aviation Requirements, Section 3 - Air Transport, Series 'M', Part IV Issue as the cancellation was informed to passengers less than the prescribed hours before  the  scheduled  departure  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof;  (c)  the  operational reasons  stated  by  Alliance  Air  for  cancelling  flight  91-513  on  25.12.2025  in Bengaluru-Salem sector; and
- (d) the number of occasions on which Alliance Air flight 91-513 in the BengaluruSalem sector has been cancelled from 01.01.2025 to till date and the reasons for the same?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

- (a) to (c): A complaint dated 10.01.2026 was received from Shri VS.

Matheswaran, Hon'ble Member of Parliament regarding cancellation of Alliance Air flight  9I-513  on  25.12.2025  in  the  Bengaluru-Salem  sector.    The  matter  was examined by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and report was sought from  M/s  Alliance  Air.  The  airline  stated  that  the  flight  was  impacted  due  to  a technical snag and the planned rectification of the same exceeded the sunset time limitations at Salem airport, leading to cancellation of the flight.

The  full  airfare  was  refunded  by  the  airline  through  the  travel  agent.  However, further compensation could not be offered as the flight cancellation occurred due to circumstances beyond the control of the airline.

(d): The Flight 9I-513 Bengaluru-Salem sector had been cancelled on 53 occasions during the year 01.01.2025 to 31.12.2025 due to various technical, weather, flight operations, airport operations and commercial related reasons.

- *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 92 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-01-29
Subject: Vacancies in DGCA, ATC and AAI
Ministry: CIVIL AVIATION
Asked by: Smt. Rachna Banerjee

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 92

(To be answered on the 29 th January 2026)

## VACANCIES IN DGCA, ATC AND AAI

## 92. SMT RACHNA BANERJEE

Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:-

- (a) the  details  of  the  sanctioned  and  working  strength  of  employees  in  the Directorate  General  of  Civil  Aviation  (DGCA),  Air  Traffic  Control  (ATC)  and Airport Authority of India (AAI) across major airports, airport-wise;
- (b) the details of the vacancies in DGCA, ATC and AAI during the last five years, year and authority-wise; and
- (c) the number of vacancies in DGCA, ATC and AAI related to safety of aircraft, passengers and cabin crew during the last five years, year and agency-wise?

## ANSWER

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION

- (a) to (c): The details are attached at Annexure.

*****

(Shri Murlidhar Mohol)

## Annexure

- (a): Sanctioned and Working Strength of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Air Traffic Control (ATC) is as under:-

| Organisation   |   Sanctioned Strength |   Working Strength |
|----------------|-----------------------|--------------------|
| DGCA           |                  1630 |                843 |
| AAI            |                 25730 |              16011 |
| ATC            |                  5537 |               4263 |

## (b): Details  of  the  vacancies  in  DGCA,  AAI  and  ATC during the last five years is as under:-

- (i) Vacancies in DGCA during the last five years:-
- (ii) Vacancies in AAI and ATC during the last five years:-
- (c): Vacancies in DGCA related to safety of aircraft, passengers and cabin crew during the last five years (Group 'A' Technical Officers and Flight Operations Inspector (FOIs)):-

| As on      |   Vacancies in DGCA |
|------------|---------------------|
| 01.01.2022 |                 462 |
| 01.01.2023 |                 889 |
| 01.01.2024 |                 867 |
| 01.01.2025 |                 835 |
| 22.01.2026 |                 787 |

|   Year |   Vacancies in AAI |   Vacancies in ATC |
|--------|--------------------|--------------------|
|   2021 |              12974 |                680 |
|   2022 |              13942 |                825 |
|   2023 |               8777 |                653 |
|   2024 |               8804 |               1609 |
|   2025 |               9719 |               1274 |

| As on      |   Sanctioned Strength |   Vacancy |
|------------|-----------------------|-----------|
| 01.01.2022 |                   643 |       159 |
| 01.01.2023 |                  1032 |       570 |
| 01.01.2024 |                  1032 |       580 |
| 01.01.2025 |                  1063 |       539 |
| 22.01.2026 |                  1063 |       526 |