Question : Trains for Gujarat

(a) whether the Railways have received any representations from various parts of Gujarat especially from Rajkot and Bhavnagar for introduction of new trains or extension/ increase in frequency of trains and if so, the details thereof and the action taken thereon;

(b) whether the Railways also propose to extend train service from Mumbai to Saurashtra till Kutchh District in the State in view of the passenger rush and if so, the details thereof; and

(c) whether the Railways propose to start new trains to connect Gandhinagar with the important towns of the State under the ''Rajya Rani'' scheme announced in Budget 2011-12 and if so, the steps taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) Representations relating to introduction of new train services or extension/ increase in frequency of existing train services serving Rajkot/Bhavnagar are received at various levels of Railway administration, a compendium of which is not maintained. However, in the Railway Budget 2014-15, 06 pairs of train services (05 Mail/Express and 01 passenger) have been introduced to cater to the needs of passengers of Rajkot/Bhavnagar.

(b) Presently, the 08 pairs of Mail/Express train services, available between Mumbai area and Kutchh (Bhuj), are adequately catering to the sector. Further, introduction of new train service is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification, availability of resources etc.

(c) At present, there is no proposal for introduction of new trains under the ‘Rajya Rani’ scheme announced in 2011-12.
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