(a) Whether the Government has issued any guidelines regarding not starting construction of any new rail line untill land is not provided for this purpose;
(b) if so, the number of such cases reported from Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan along with the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government for addressing the said type of problems?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINSTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4260 BY SHRI NAGAR RODMAL, SHRI OM PRAKASH YADAV & SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARSWATI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 21.03.2018 REGARDING LAND ACQUISITION FOR NEW RAIL LINES
(a) to (c): Indian Railways have a number of projects where considerable investments have been made but returns are not forthcoming due to land acquisition problems. Therefore, it has been decided that the commencement of physical work for New Line projects shall be taken up only after completion of land acquisition. However, General Managers of Zonal Railways have been empowered to invite tenders if they are certain of the possibility of land acquisition in a reasonable time frame. For this, a written assurance from the State Government will be required. General Managers of Zonal Railways have also been empowered to review the projects that have remained in limbo for long period for various reasons. The Ministry of Railways from time to time, has requested the Chief Secretaries of State Government to take necessary steps on Railway land acquisition issues to expedite execution work of New Lines.
Individual cases have not been reported so far by any Railway including those having jurisdiction in the State of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan. Railway officers are in regular liaison with state Government official, to expedite the land acquisition.
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