MINISTER OF RAILWAYS(KUMARI MAMATA BANERJEE)
(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF THE STARRED QUESTION NO.58 BY SHRI RAJU SHETTI AND SHRI PREMDAS TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 11/11/2010 REGARDING CONSTRUCTION OF ROAD OVER-BRIDGES.
(a): Over bridges (ROB) on road and railway crossings are constructed on cost sharing and deposit term basis, as the case may be. Railways share the cost of ROB where traffic density i.e., Train Vehicle Unit (TVU) of the level crossing is one lakh or above, subject to State Govt’s consent for closing of level crossings, provision of funds in their Budget, advance action for land acquisition, etc. All such proposals, found technically feasible, are included in the Railway’s Works Programme and approval of the Parliament is sought along with other works at the time of presentation of Railway Budget. Work wise allocation of fund is made keeping in view
(i) the fund available during the year
(ii) exigency of the work
(iii) priority assigned by concerning State Govt. and safety consideration. If the TVU of the level crossing is less than one lakh, construction of over bridges can be taken up on Deposit terms, Build Operate and Transfer basis wherein cost is fully borne by the sponsoring agency.
(b): Information regarding road over bridges and railway crossings, which are still under construction state-wise is attached as Appendix-I.
(c) & (d): Construction of Road Over/Under Bridges is a joint venture of Railway, State Government, National Highway Authority of India and Ministry of Surface Transport. At times, completion of ROB works get delayed due to contractual problem, non-availability of land, late diversion of road traffic, delay in shifting of utilities, fund shortage with State Government, etc. Therefore, railway alone cannot decide the date by which all sanctioned ROB/RUB works will be completed. Efforts are made to expedite ROB works as it considerably improves the safety of train operation. The progress has picked up in recent past. Railways has targeted completion of 100 nos. of cost sharing works during this financial year.
(e) Details of proposals under consideration, State-wise and location-wise for construction of road over bridges on the entitled level crossings across the country, including Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, is attached as Appendix-II.
(f) Technically suitable proposals will be considered for inclusion in railways works programme in phases.
