Question : GAUGE CONVERSION AT JABALPUR-NAINPUR BALAGHAT RAILWAY LINE

(a) whether the gauge conversion work in Jabalpur–Nainpur Balaghat under South East Central Railway is going on at a very slow pace;

(b) the steps taken/being taken to expedite the said work;

(c) whether any proposal to connect 42 kilometre distance from Nainpur to Mandala Fort under South East Central Railway has been received;

(d) if so, the time by which work of gauge conversion is likely to be started;

(e) whether the survey work for gauge conversion from Nainpur junction to Dada Dhaniram Ashram Maharajpur of Mandala Fort has been completed or the survey likely to be conducted by the Railways;

(f) whether the Railways propose to provide sufficient budget to complete the gauge conversion work within stipulated time; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS(SHRI R. VELU)

(a)to(g): A statement is attached.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (g) OF THE UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 420 BY SHRI FAGGAN SINGH KULASTE TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 28.02.2008 REGARDING GAUGE CONVERSION AT JABALPUR–NAINPUR BALAGHAT RAILWAY LINE.

(a): Earthwork and bridgeworks have been taken up, wherever land is available along Balaghat–Nainpur–Jabalpur section. Besides, traffic block has been imposed on Balaghat–Katangi section for gauge conversion work. The work is being progressed as per availability of resources.

(b): State Government is being actively pursued to expedite handing over of possession of the balance land to the Railways so that the work on the detour alignment can be taken up. Besides, gauge conversion of Balaghat–Katangi is targeted for completion during 2008–09.

(c): Yes, Sir. Demands have been received occasionally from some of the elected public representatives for conversion of the existing Nainpur–Mandla Fort narrow gauge section into broad gauge.

(d)&(e): Preparation of an updated combined survey report for gauge conversion of Chhindwara–Nainpur and Nainpur–Mandla Fort sections has been taken up. Baba Dhaniram Ashram is located at about 2.5 Kms away from Mandla station and is well-connected by road from the existing station.

(f)&(g): Budget allotments for various new/ongoing works are made as per their operational priorities and overall availability of resources. An outlay of Rs. 60 crore has been provided for this work in the Budget 2007–08 and an outlay of Rs. 60 crore has been proposed for this work in the Budget 2008–09.