Question : Gauge Conversion between ShapurSaradiya Railway Line

(a) whether the Government is aware that the metre gauge railway line between Shapur-Saradiya in the State of Gujarat is in dilapidated condition for years and whether the Government has taken action for gauge conversion of this railway line;

(b) if so, whether no concrete action is being taken in this regard, so far;

(c) if so, the time by which the gauge conversion work of Shapur-Saradiya railway line is likely to be completed;

(d) whether a railway line in Upleta located in Saurashtra area of Gujarat State was converted into a broad gauge in the year 2012 and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether prior to gauge conversion three passenger trains were running earlier while after gauge conversion only one passenger train is running on this line; and

(f) if so, the time by which the passenger train between Porbandar- Upleta-Mumbai is likely to be introduced by the Government?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.533 BY SHRI RAMESHBHAI LAVJIBHAI DHADUK TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.11.2019 REGARDING GAUGE CONVERSION BETWEEN SHAPUR-SARADIYA RAILWAY LINE


(a) to (c) : Gauge conversion of Shahpur-Saradiya (47.00 km) was sanctioned in 2011-12 as a material modification to Rajkot-Veraval gauge conversion project, but could not be taken forward for execution based on negligible traffic on this section and huge throwforward of ongoing projects.

(d): Yes, Sir. Upleta Railway station is on Wansjalia-Jetalsar section, which has already been converted into Broad gauge and commissioned in February, 2011.

(e) and (f): introduction of trains is a continuous process over Indian Railways and is done keeping in view the traffic demand, operational feasibility, resources availability, competing demands, etc.

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