Question : RAILWAY PROJECTS IN BACKWARD AREAS

(a) whether the Railways have taken note of regional imbalances in the matter of rail projects in the country and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Railways propose to address the issue of poor connectivity in backward areas and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether any moratorium has been imposed for sanction of new projects and if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and

(d) whether the Railway projects in backward areas are likely to be affected by such moratorium and if so, the reaction of the Railways thereto?

MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 275 BY SHRI BALABHADRA MAJHI AND SHRI AJAY TAMTA TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 16.03.2015 REGARDING RAILWAY PROJECTS IN BACKWARD AREAS

(a) & (b): Based on demands raised by State Governments, Central Ministries, Members of Parliament, other public representatives & Railway’s own requirement, the proposals for new line projects are considered. They are taken up on the basis of remunerativeness, last mile connectivity, missing links and alternate routes, augmentation of congested/saturated lines, socio-economic considerations etc. depending upon throwforward of ongoing projects, overall availability of funds and competing demands which covers connectivity in backward areas also. The projects are not sanctioned State-wise, area-wise and region-wise.

Railways have taken up 132 number of new line projects on socio-economic considerations at a total cost of ` 1,47,553 Crore.

(c): No, Madam.

(d): Does not arise.