Lok Sabha Question No. 1064 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-03-02
Subject: Electrification of Rail Lines in North-Eastern States
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: RAMESWAR TELI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1064 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.03.2016

## ELECTRIFICATION OF RAIL LINES IN NORTH-EASTERN STATES

1064. SHRI RAMESWAR TELI:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Railways  have  any  proposal  to  develop  the  Railway network  including  the  electrification  of  lines  in  the  North  Eastern States and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Railways have made any estimate of total expenditure required to execute such projects; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)

- (a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNTARRED QUESTION NO. 1064 BY SHRI RAMESWAR TELI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 02.03.2016  REGARDING  ELECTRIFICATION  OF  RAIL  LINES  IN NORTH-EASTERN STATES.

(a)  to  (c):    Indian  Railways  have  laid  great  emphasis  on  improvement  in Railway  infrastructure  and  to  develop  railway  network  in  North  Eastern States.    17  major  railway  projects  consisting  of  12  New  Lines,  3  Gauge Conversion and 2 Doubling rail line projects have been taken up in North Eastern  states.    In  addition,  2  Doubling  projects  have  been  included  in Budget 2015-16 subject to requisite Government approvals.  Total cost of these  projects  is ` 50546 crore and an expenditure of ` 17357 crore has been incurred  on  these  projects  till  31.03.2015,  with  an  outlay  of ` 5338 crore in 2015-16.

An all time high outlay of over ` 5200 crore was provided for New Lines, Gauge Conversion and Doubling projects in North Eastern States in 201415.  Again in 2015-16, a still higher outlay of ` 5338 crore has been provided for speedier execution of these projects.

Electrification  of  railway  tracks  is  decided  on  the  basis  of  financial viability, traffic volumes and operational feasibility.  At present, with a view to provide faster and seamless rail connectivity to Assam, electrification of Barauni-Katihar-Guwahati  including  Katihar-Barsoi  (836  RKM)  has  been sanctioned at a cost of ` 821.53 crore in which 223 RKM falls in the State of Assam.

In last two years, following major developments have taken place in North Eastern Region, including Arunachal Pradesh:

..……2

- (i) Itanagar,  the  capital  of  Arunachal  Pradesh  was  connected  to  the National Capital by a direct train.
- (ii) With commissioning of Balipara-Bhalukpong line after gauge conversion,  Arunachal  Pradesh  have  been  provided  with  second Broad Gauge connectivity.
- (iii) Entire  track  on  North  Bank  of  Brahmaputra,  running  very  close  to Assam-Arunachal  border,  has  been  connected  to  Broad  Gauge  with commissioning of Rangiya-Murkongselek Broad Gauge line.
- (iv) Meghalaya  has  been  brought  on  railway  map  of  the  country  with commissioning of Dudhnoi-Mendipathar railway line.
- (v) With commissioning of Lumding-Silchar Broad Gauge line, the Barak Valley has been brought on Broad Gauge network of the country.
- (vi) Agartala,  the  capital  of  Tripura  has  been  brought  on  Broad  Gauge network with introduction of goods trains on 20.02.2016.
- (vii) Manipur  state  has  also  been  connected  with  Broad  Gauge  network with introduction of goods trains on 20.02.2016.
- (viii) Indian Railways endeavour to provide connectivity to all the States of North Eastern Region in next 4-5 years.

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