(a) whether the Government plans to increase the allocation to Odisha to meet its railway expansion and infrastructural needs;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to introduce additional trains and express trains to Odisha and if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government also plans to extend the jurisdiction of the East Coast Railway for more robust railway connectivity and if so, the details thereof and timeline for the same?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a)&(b): Allocation is provided zonal Railway-wise/project-wise and not State-wise on year to year basis depending upon overall availability of funds, relative priority, status of land acquisition, other clearances and stages of projects, etc. The details of allocation are a part of the Railway Budget 2016-17.
(c): At present, there is no proposal to introduce additional train services to Odisha. However, introduction of train services is an ongoing process on Indian Railways subject to traffic demand, operational feasibility, availability of resources, etc.
(d): There is no plan to extend the jurisdiction of East Coast Railway at present.
*****