opensansad/lok-sabha-qa huggingface dataset:
Lok Sabha Question No. 513 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: New Railway Lines in Sabarkantha
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Smt. Shobhanaben Mahendrasinh Baraiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 513

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## NEW RAILWAY LINES IN SABARKANTHA

## †513. SMT. SHOBHANABEN MAHENDRASINH BARAIYA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is undertaking construction of a new railway  lines  in  the  Sabarkantha  Lok  Sabha  Constituency  of Gujarat;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  construction  of these new railway lines is currently going on at a very slow pace;
- (d) if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) whether the Government has set any deadline for completion of these projects and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): To  improve  the  rail  connectivity  of  the  area  situated  in Sabarkantha Constituency, Himmatnagar -Khed Brahma Gauge Conversion project (55 Km) has been completed recently.

Further,  Taranga  Hill-Ambaji-Abu  Road  (116  Km)  new  line  project, which   passes   through   Sabarkantha  Constituency  has   also   been Contd…2

sanctioned and work has been taken up. An expenditure of ₹980 crore has been incurred on this project upto March 2025 and an outlay of ₹236  crore  has  been  provided  for  this  project  for  the  financial  year 2025-26.

To  further  improve  the  connectivity  in  the  region,  following  surveys have  been  sanctioned.  The  field  survey  work  has  been  taken  up  for preparation of the Detailed Project Report (DPR):

|   SN | Name of Surveys                |   Length (Km) |
|------|--------------------------------|---------------|
|    1 | Khed Brahma-Ambaji New Line    |            46 |
|    2 | Ahmedabad-Himmatnagar Doubling |            93 |

After preparation of DPR, sanctioning of project requires consultation with various stake-holders including State Governments and necessary approvals viz. appraisal of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance etc. As sanctioning of projects is a continuous and dynamic process, exact timelines cannot be fixed.

Completion  of  Railway  project/s  depends  on  various  factors  which include the following:

- Land acquisition
- Forest clearance
- Shifting of infringing utilities
- Statutory clearances from various authorities
- Geological and topographical conditions of area
- Law and order situation in the area of project site
- Number of working months in a year for particular project site etc.

All these factors affect the completion time and cost of the project/s.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 511 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Funds for Development of NER
Ministry: DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION
Asked by: Shri Bapi Haldar

## 511. Shri Bapi Haldar:

Will  the  Minister  of  DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION be pleased to state:

- (a)    whether  10%  of  the  budget  of  all  non-exempt  Ministries  have  been  spent  for development of the north east region as mandated in the last five years, if so, the details thereof and if not the reasons therefor;
- (b) the details of funds allocated and disbursed under the Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) scheme since inception; and
- (c)    whether  there  have  been  any  delays  in  the  disbursal  of  funds,  if  so,  the  details thereof along with the steps taken to address the same?

## ANSWER

## The Minister of State of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region [Dr. Sukanta Majumdar]

- (a) All non exempted Ministries/Departments are mandated to spent at least 10% of their budget allocation in North Eastern Region under 10% GBS mechanism. Over the last five  years,  an  expenditure  of  Rs  3,94,612  Cr.  was  made  against  the  allocation  of  Rs 3,71,789 Cr.(106.1%).
- (b)  &  (c)        Prime  Minister's  Development  Initiative  for  North  East  Region  (PM-DevINE), announced  as  a  new  Central  Sector  scheme,  with  100%  Central  funding,  in  the  Union Budget  2022-23,  was  approved  by  the  Union  Cabinet  on  12  October,  2022  with  a  total outlay of Rs.6,600 Cr. for a 4-year period from 2022-23 to 2025-26. Since inception and upto 31.10.2025, a total of 44 projects worth Rs.5728.76 Cr. has been sanctioned under the scheme, against which a total fund amounting to Rs.2172.64 Cr. has been released.

*****

## Government of India

## Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 511

To be answered on

Wednesday, December 03, 2025 /Agrahayana 12, 1947 (Saka)

## QUESTION

## Funds for Development of NER
Lok Sabha Question No. 510 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Extension  of Railway Line in Mizoram
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Richard Vanlalhmangaiha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 510

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## EXTENSION OF RAILWAY LINE IN MIZORAM

510.    SHRI RICHARD VANLALHMANGAIHA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  any  plan  to  extend  the  railway  line beyond Sairang in Mizoram;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  proposed  route  and  present status of the survey/planning work;
- (c) whether  any  budget  allocation  has  been  made  for  the  railway extension beyond Sairang;
- (d) if so, the details of the amount  allocated and financial year concerned; and
- (e) the estimated cost and expected time for completion of the proposed extension?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (e):  To  provide  capital  connectivity  to  Border  State  of  Mizoram, Bhairabi  -  Sairang  (51.38  Km.)  new  line  project  has  been  completed  and commissioned recently in September, 2025. This project comprises of 45 tunnels, 55 major bridges and 88 minor bridges built through the difficult terrain and complex geological conditions in the region.

With  the  completion  of  this  project,  Aizawl  becomes  the  fourth  NorthEastern  state  capital,  after  Guwahati,  Naharlagun  (for  Itanagar)  and Agartala,  to  be  connected  to  the  Indian  Railways  network.    To  provide connectivity  beyond  Sairang  in  Mizoram,  Final  Location  Survey  (FLS)  for Sairang -Hbichhuah (223 Km.) new  line has been sanctioned for preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR).

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 509 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Renewable Sources of Energy
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Chavda Vinod Lakhamshi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 509

ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY

509. SHRI CHAVDA VINOD LAKHAMSHI

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) the types of renewable energy sources being used by the Government to produce electricity; and
- (b) the maximum amount of power being produced in the country by the said energy sources?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF  STATE  FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER

## (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

- (a) Solar, Wind, Hydro and Biogenic resources are the major renewable energy sources being used to produce electricity.
- (b) The details of source-wise renewable energy generation during the last year is given below: (In Million Units)

| Sources     |   2024-25 |
|-------------|-----------|
| Solar       | 144150    |
| Wind        |  83347.2  |
| Large Hydro | 148634    |
| Small Hydro |  11568    |
| Biomass     |   3738.67 |
| Bagasse     |   9335.32 |
| Others      |   2869.73 |
| Total       | 403643    |

Source: Central Electricity Authority (CEA)

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 502 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Use of Railway Lands in Tiruchirappalli
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Durai Vaiko

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 502 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## USE OF RAILWAY LANDS IN TIRUCHIRAPPALLI

## 502.   SHRI DURAI VAIKO:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  it  is  a  fact  that  Tiruchirappalli  district  especially  in Ponmalai  holds  one  of  the  largest  land  assets  under  Indian Railways  second  only  to  Chennai  in  Tamil  Nadu  and  if  so,  the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has taken any steps to assess and utilise these  vast  land  holdings  in  Trichy  for  commercial  development, railway-related infrastructure, logistics hubs or public amenities
- and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  there  is  any  roadmap  for  unlocking  the  economic  and strategic potential of these underutilised railway lands in
- Tiruchirappalli and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  considers  establishing  new  industrial parks, skill training centres or railway townships in these unused areas  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  timeline  for  said developments?

## ANSWER

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

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

- (a) to (d): Land available with Railway is utilized for augmentation and creation of infrastructure like multitracking, freight terminals, maintenance facilities, etc. required from operational considerations.

The vacant land which is not required for operational purposes in near future  is  entrusted  to  Rail  Land  Development  Authority  (RLDA)  for commercial utilization. Ponmalai  area  in  Tiruchirappalli  city  have  major  maintenance  and operational facilities on Indian Railways. Presently, many infrastructures  related  projects  have  been  taken  up  on  about  114 acres of this land. Further, about 244 acres of Railway land has been identified for future developmental works. In addition, RLDA has also been entrusted about 11.62 acres of land for commercial utilization in Tiruchirappalli area. *****
Lok Sabha Question No. 501 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: BSNL Towers vis-a-vis  Private Telecom Operators
Ministry: COMMUNICATIONS
Asked by: Shri Kota Srinivasa Poojary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 501 ANSWERED ON 3 RD  DECEMBER, 2025

## BSNL TOWERS VIS-A-VIS  PRIVATE TELECOM OPERATORS

## 501. SHRI KOTA SRINIVASA POOJARY:

Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether there is a  huge demand for installation of BSNL towers compared to private telecom operators and  if so, the steps taken by the Government to meet the demand for additional towers;
- (b) whether it is a fact that  there is a lack of quality batteries for towers, lack of solar installations and lack of generator facilities in case of power outages;
- (c) if so, the details of the steps taken by BSNL for  providing basic infrastructure for towers;
- (d) the specific measures/steps taken by the Government to improve and upgrade the services of BSNL; and
- (e) whether the Government has formulated any plan  to entrust tower maintenance to the local Gram Panchayat and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) In  line  with  Atmanirbhar  Bharat  initiative,  BSNL  has  placed  purchase  order  for indigenously developed 4G sites for pan India deployment. Supply of 4G equipment has started from September 2023 and as on 31.10.2025, total 97,068 4G sites have been installed and 93,511 sites are ON-Air. The equipment is 5G upgradable from technology perspective.

To further enhance the network infrastructure and service quality, BSNL is executing the various  schemes  of  Government  such  as  4G  Saturation  Scheme,  Border  Out  Post ( BOP )/ Border Intelligence Post ( BIP ) , LWE Phase-I upgradation etc . The details of these schemes are available on https://usof.gov.in.

BSNL is regularly replacing old/life expired batteries on towers in a phased manner. DG sets are also available on towers based on power condition/ high revenue/ priority areas. Further, solar power is made available as primary source of power for most of new 4G BTS locations installed under Digital Bharat Nidhi.

- (e) The Government has not formulated any such plan.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 500 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Establishment of Full-fledged Doordarshan Channel and Akashvani Programme for Santhali Language
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Kalipada Saren Kherwal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 500

(TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025)

ESTABLISHMENT  OF  FULL-FLEDGED  DOORDARSHAN  CHANNEL  AND AKASHVANI PROGRAMME FOR SANTHALI LANGUAGE

500. SHRI KALIPADA SAREN KHERWAL:

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  establish  a  fullfledged  Doordarshan  channel  dedicated  to  programmes  in  Santhali Language  and  to  enhance  Akashvani  (All  India  Radio)  broadcasts  in Santhali Language;
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  proposed  timeline  for launching such initiatives;
- (c) whether the Government has assessed the demand from Santhalispeaking  regions  of  West  Bengal,  Jharkhand,  Odisha  and  Assam  for regular television and radio broadcasting in their own language and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  if  not,  the  reasons  for  the  absence  of  a  full-fledged  Doordarshan and Akashvani service for Santhali language, despite it being included in the 8th Schedule of the Constitution?

ANSWER THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  INFORMATION  AND  BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN) (a) to (d): Doordarshan telecasts Santhali content/  programmes through DD Jharkhand, DD Assam, DD Bangla and DD Odia channels. Akashvani  Stations  located  in  regions  with  a  significant  Santhali speaking population also regularly broadcast programmes in Santhali language.   These  programmes  are  being  broadcast  in  West  Bengal from Akashvani Kolkata, Murshidabad and Shantiniketan. Akashvani Ranchi and Chaibasa in Jharkhand, Akashvani Bhagalpur in Bihar  and  Akashvani  Baripada  and  Keonjhar  in  Odisha  are  also regularly broadcasting programmes in Santhali. In addition, Regional News Unit, Kolkata also produces a news bulletin in  Santhali  which  is  carried  by  Akashvani,  Kolkata  on  its  Primary Channel. The Government regularly reviews the reach, audience feedback and demand  patterns  from  society  to  strengthen  the  availability  and accessibility of content in languages recognized in the 8 th  Schedule of the Constitution .

- *******
Lok Sabha Question No. 498 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Heritage Trains in the Country
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Dr. Hemant Vishnu Savara

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION NO. 498

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## HERITAGE TRAINS IN THE COUNTRY

## 498.  DR. HEMANT VISHNU SAVARA:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether any steps have been taken/are being taken by the Government to support the preservation and operation of coal-fired steam engines as heritage trains in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  the  details  of  the  plan  of  the  Government to expand the use of coalfired  steam  engines  as  heritage  trains  for  the  coming  generation  along with new routes or regions being considered;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  funding  provided  during  the  last  three  years  by Railway  to  restore  and  preserve  coal-fired  steam  engines  for  use  as heritage trains;
- (d)  whether  the  Government  has  a  strategy  similar  to  Nilgiri  Mountain Railway  (NMR)  Southern  Railway  to  manufacture  new  coal-fired  steam engines for other railway zones and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the details of the zones for which these coal-fired steam engines are to be produced along with the routes in these zones on which new coal-fired steam-engine trains proposed to be operated?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (e)    At  present,  coal-fired  steam  engines  are  working  in  UNESCO accredited  Mountain  Railways,  seasonal  steam  hauled  trains  and  in charters in association with IRCTC.

Budget  allocation (in crore)  for  repairs  and  maintenance  of  Steam locomotive during last three years is as under:

| 2022-23   | 2023-24   | 2024-25   |
|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| ₹12.98 Cr | ₹14.26 Cr | ₹17.25 Cr |

Further, a work of developing maintenance facilities for heavy repairs of Heritage  Rolling  Stock  at  Steam  Loco  Heritage  Shed,  Rewari  has  been sanctioned recently at a cost of ₹9.99 Cr.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 497 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Share of Nuclear Energy in Power Generation
Ministry: ATOMIC ENERGY
Asked by: Smt. Manju Sharma

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-497 ANSWERED ON  03/12/2025

## SHARE OF NUCLEAR ENERGY IN POWER GENERATION

## 497. SMT. MANJU SHARMA

Will the PRIME MINISTER be pleased to state:-

- (a) the present share of nuclear energy in total power generation of the country;
- (b) whether the Government has formulated any comprehensive plan to double the same;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The share of nuclear energy in the total electricity generation in the country was 3.1% in the year 2024-25.
- (b)  to (d): The present installed nuclear power capacity is set to increase from 8780 MW (excluding  RAPS-1)  to  22380  MW  (excluding  RAPS-1)  by  2031-32  on  progressive completion of projects under implementation.  Further, the Government has announced a Nuclear Energy Mission to reach a nuclear power capacity of 100000 MW (100 GW) by 2047. Thus the share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation is expected to increase accordingly.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 496 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: Compliances of Solar Plants
Ministry: NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY
Asked by: Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 496

ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## COMPLIANCES OF SOLAR PLANTS

496. SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY

Will the Minister of NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that setting up of a standalone solar plant require 2,735 compliancesalmost 40 precent labour- related;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the policy, administrative and legislative measures being taken by the Government to bring down this compliance to reduce the burden?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF  STATE  FOR NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY AND POWER (SHRI SHRIPAD YESSO NAIK)

(a)  to  (c)  Compliance requirements vary widely depending on project location, capacity, and applicable Central and State regulations relevant to land, environmental, electrical safety, and labour laws as applicable in the respective jurisdiction.

This Ministry, in consultation with the National Solar Energy Federation of India (NSEFI), has identified that a total of 116 approvals/permits including general approvals applicable across sectors, are required for utility-scale solar projects.

*****
Lok Sabha Question No. 494 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-03
Subject: New Railway Lines in Meerut
Ministry: RAILWAYS
Asked by: Shri Arun Govil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 494 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025

## NEW RAILWAY LINES IN MEERUT

## † 494. SHRI ARUN GOVIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  constructing  new  railway  lines  in  the Meerut Lok Sabha Constituency of Uttar Pradesh and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  construction  work  on these new railway lines is currently going on at a very slow pace and if so, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether the Government has set any time limit for completing these projects and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a)  to  (c):  Railway  projects  are  surveyed/  sanctioned/executed  Zonal Railway  wise  and  not  State-wise/Constituency-wise  as  the  Railways' projects may span across State boundaries. Railway projects are sanctioned on the basis of remunerativeness, traffic projections, last mile connectivity, missing links and alternate routes,augmentation of congested/saturated lines, demands raised by State Governments, Central Ministries, Members of Parliament, other public representatives, Railway's operational  requirement,  socio-economic  considerations  etc.  depending upon throwforward of ongoing projects and overall availability of funds.

To  improve  the  connectivity  in  the  Meerut  region,  Doubling  between Meerut-Muzaffarnagar  (55.47 Km) has been recently completed.

*****