Question : DEVELOPMENT OF RAILWAYS

(a) whether the Government have formulated any action plan for development, strengthening and expansion of rail traffic, both passenger and goods in terms of traffic growth projections in the country, especially in the Southern and Western regions;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) the details of the action plan finalized/under active consideration for Southern and Western regions in general and Karnataka and Maharashtra in particular for the current year and the Tenth Five Year Plan period?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI BANDARU DATTATRAYA )

(a) to (c) : Yes, Sir. The Railways formulates its action plan towards growth of passenger and freight traffic, for the entire network across the country and not region-wise or state-wise. In terms of X Five Year Plan formulated, the annual compound traffic growth rate projected for X Five Year Plan for the entire Indian Railways is as follows-
(i) Freight Traffic in terms of Net Tonne Kms.-

2.5%,
(ii) Passenger Traffic in terms of Passenger Kms.-

5.3%.

For the current year i.e. 2002-03, the projected growth rate as per revised estimate of 2002-03 are as follows-


(i) Freight Traffic in terms of Net Tonne Kms.- 7.2 %,


(ii) Passenger Traffic in terms of Passenger Kms. (-)1.9 %.