(a) the existing policy of the Railways with regard to commercial plantation of Jatropha;
(b) whether the Railways propose to enter into Joint Venture (JV) partnership with private
companies for commercial plantation of jatropha;
(c) if so, the details in this regard;
(d) the sites identified for Jatropha plantation in the joint venture; and
(e) the revenue likely to be earned by the Railways from this policy annually?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS(SHRI R.VELU)
(a) to (e): There is no specific policy with regard to commercial plantation of Jatropha.
However, Railways have a general policy with respect to commercial plantation including
Jatropha on such vacant land, which is not immediately required for Railways immediate
operational use. Railway has entered into joint venture with Indian Oil Corporation (a
government company) for plantation of jatropha on 500 hectares of vacant land on nominal
licence fees of Rs. 1 per hectare and re-purchase of bio-diesel at mutually agreed concessional
rates. Apart from this, commercial plantation for jatropha has been initiated for 45 sites
(25 on North-Eastern Railway and 18 sites on South-Central Railway). Assessment of revenue
earnings can be done after actual yield on maturity of jatropha plants at the site.