(a) whether the Government have received any representation for the bifurcation/creation of Railway Zones/Divisions in the country, particularly in Southern Railways;
(b) if so, the details thereof ; and
(c) the action taken by the Government in this regard ?
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS ( SHRI NITISH KUMAR )
(a) to (c) : A statement is laid on the table of the Sabha.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 50 BY S/SHRI T.M. SELVAGANAPATHI & T. GOVINDAN TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 21.11.2002 REGARDING JURISDICTION OF SOUTHERN RAILWAYS.
(a)&(b) Yes, Sir. Several representations have been received by the Government for bifurcation/creation of Zones and Divisions in the country. The demands particularly in Southern Railways area are regarding creation of new zone in Kerala, with headquarters at Kochi, new zone with headquarters at Bangalore/Hubli, new divisions at Guntur. Salem, Gulbarga, Cannanore, Erode and Mangalore. There are other representations regarding changing the jurisdiction of some divisions particularly Hubli and Guntakal.
(c) As per policy/criteria new zones and divisions are created on the basis of their workload, accessibility, geographical sprawls and other administrative/operational requirements and not on regional considerations. Various representations received were duly considered by the Government while creating new zones and divisions. Based on the criteria, a new zone, South Western Railway, Hubli has been created, which would become operational w.e.f. 1.4.2003. Also a new division at Guntur will become operational w.e.f. 01.04.2003. It has not been considered feasible to create a zone in Kerala, or division at Salem, Gulbarga or Erode etc.