(a) the details of pending Railway projects in Rajasthan; and
(b) whether the Government has any proposal regarding doubling of Merta-Nagaur-Bikaner railway route and if so, the details thereof?
(a) the details of pending Railway projects in Rajasthan; and
(b) whether the Government has any proposal regarding doubling of Merta-Nagaur-Bikaner railway route and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) and (b): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) AND (b) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5668 BY SHRI HANUMAN BENIWAL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 06.04.2022 REGARDING DOUBLING OF MARTA-NAGAUR-BIKANER RAILWAY LINE
(a): Railway projects are sanctioned Zonal Railway-wise, not State-wise, as Indian Railways’ projects may span across State boundaries. However, as on 01.04.2021, 28 projects (11 new lines, 05 gauge conversion and 12 doubling) of total length 5,069 km, costing `56,261 crore, falling fully/partly in the State of Rajasthan are in different stages of Planning/Sanction/Execution.
Rajasthan is covered by Northern Railway, Western Railway, North Western Railway, West Central Railway and North Central Railway Zones of Indian Railways. The details of allotment of funds and expenditure project-wise and Zonal Railway wise are made available in public domain on Indian Railways website i.e. www.indianrailways.gov.in> Ministry of Railways> Railway Board> About Indian Railways>Railway Board Directorates> Finance (Budget), Pink Book (year)>Railway wise Works Machinery & Rolling Stock Programme.
Since 2014, there has been substantial increase in budget outlay for infrastructure projects and safety works and commensurate commissioning of projects. Average annual Budget outlay for Infrastructure and safety works, falling fully/partly in State of Rajasthan, during 2014-19 has been enhanced to `2,951 crore per year from `682 crore per year during 2009-14, which is 333% more than average annual budget outlay of 2009-14. For financial year 2019-20, budget outlay of `4,686 crore (587% more than average annual budget outlay of 2009-14) and for financial year 2020-21, budget outlay of `4,582 crore (572% more than average annual budget outlay of 2009-14) has been provided for these works. For financial year 2021-22, highest ever budget outlay of `6,006 crore (781% more than average annual budget outlay of 2009-14) has been provided for these works.
During 2014-21, 1947 Km sections (176 km of New line, 637 km of Gauge conversion and 1134 km of Doubling) falling fully/partly in the State of Rajasthan have been commissioned at an average rate 278.14 km per year, which is 74% more than average commissioning during 2009-14 (159.6 Km/Yr.).
(b) : Doubling projects are taken up based on Railway’s operational requirements. Doubling of Merta Road- Nagaur-Bikaner section has not been prioritized as operationally not required presently.
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