Question : Strategic Railway Lines

(a) whether the Government has sanctioned the construction of strategic railway lines at Indo-China border and if so, the details thereof indicating the date and the funds earmarked for the said project;

(b) whether the Railway has conducted final location survey and if so, the details thereof along with its outcome;

(c) whether the decision to construct the said strategic rail lines at Indo-China border has come to a dead end to some extent and if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor;

(d) whether there is no consensus between his Ministry and the Ministry of Defence regarding the priority of the said project and if so, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether the funds have not been provided for the said project so far despite the sanction of the Government and if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and

(f) the steps taken by the Government to ensure timely commencement and completion of strategic projects in view of National Security?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

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

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6081 BY DR. PRITMAM GOPINATH MUNDE, SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV, SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA, SHRI KAMAL NATH, SHRI VINAYAK BHAURAO RAUT, SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE, SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL AND DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 04.04.2018 REGARDING STRATEGIC RAILWAY LINES

(a) to (f): The proposal for construction of Railway lines towards China border has been initiated by Ministry of Defence as a strategic line. Ministry of Defence has identified four strategic lines along India-China border viz. (i) Missamari - Tenga - Tawang (378 Km) (ii) Bilaspur - Manali - Leh (498 Km) (iii) Pasighat – Tezu - Rupai (227 Km) and (iv) North Lakhimpur - Bame (Along)-Silapathar (249 Km). Ministry of Defence has provided funds to Ministry of Railways for carrying out Final Location Survey (FLS) of these four indentified strategic lines and Ministry of Railways has taken up these FLS. The undulating terrain of young Himalayas and difficult geological conditions are affecting the pace of survey undertaken. However, all government agencies working in the area and having specialization in the survey in these difficult geographical and geological areas are meeting regularly for early completion of this Final Location Surveys. Decision regarding sanction and commencement of these projects will be taken up after completion of FLS.

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