(a) whether it is a fact that Bhanupali-Bilaspur, Chandigarh-Baddi railway line
and Inland Container Depot at Baddi- Barotiwal of Himachal Pradesh are under
consideration of the Ministry of Railways;
(b) if so, the present status of these projects;
(c) the time by which the Nangal-Talwara railway line is likely to be completed;
and
(d) if not, the reasons for delay?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)
(a) to (d) : A Statement is attached.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3310
BY PROF. PREM KUMAR DHUMAL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 06.09.2007 REGARDING
RAILWAY PROJECTS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH.
(a) & (b) : The survey for Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri new line has already been
completed and suitable funding mechanism for this proposed new line is being worked
out so as to further process the proposal accordingly. As regards Chandigarh-Baddi
new line, the new line project was included in the budget 2007-08 based on ‘in
principle’ approval.Government have recently accorded final approval to the project
and preliminary works like final location survey, detailed estimate land
acquisition etc. will be taken up. Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh area of Himachal
Pradesh can be served by CONCOR’s new rail linked Inland Container Depot (ICD)
which has already become operational at Dhapper near Chandigarh. The distance
between Dhapper and the important areas of Himachal Pradesh like Baddi, Barotiwala
and Nalagarh is in the range of 50-85 Kms only. CONCOR is also in the process of
organising an independent survey to study the traffic potential of Baddi for
establishing road based ICD in Baddi.
(c) &(d) : The section from Nangal Dam-Una Himachal to Churaru Takrala (32.73 kms.)
has already been completed and commissioned. Time schedule for completion of
balance section have not been fixed and work will be completed in the coming years
as per availability of resources.