Question : PRIVATE INVESTMENT IN RAILWAYS

(a) the present status of steps taken/ being taken by the Railways to garner private investments for rail connectivity projects/ infrastructures including ports connectivity in the country;

(b) the details of projects identified for the purpose along with the quantum of funds likely to be invested thereon by the private sector;

(c) the response of the private sector so far in this regard;

(d) the time frame set for implementation/completion of the projects so identified; and

(e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Railways in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI KOTLA JAYA SURYA PRAKASH REDDY)

(a) to (c) : A new policy for building and strengthening rail connectivity and capacity augmentation has recently been announced. Ministry of Railways have implemented the following projects for port connectivity through Joint Venture route:-

(i) Surendranagar-Pipavav Gauge Conversion Project, (ii) Hassan-Mangalore Gauge Conversion Project, (iii) Gandhidham-Palanpur Gauge Conversion Project, (iv) Bharuch-Dahej Gauge Conversion Project,(v) Obulavaripalle – Krishnapatnam New Line Project.

The following sanctioned projects are also being implemented to strengthen port connectivity:-

(i) Angul-Sukinda New Line, (ii) Haridaspur-Paradip New Line. Apart from the above, the following projects are also identified for private sector participation: (i) Indapur-Dighi Port (Rs.597 Crores), (ii) Hamrapur-Rewas Port (Rs.485 Crores),(iii) Digni -Jaigarh Port (Rs.775 Crores),(iv) Bhadrak- Dhamra Port (Rs.760 Crore),(v) Rail connectivity to Astranga Port (Rs.750 Crore), (vi) Gothangaon – Hazira Port (Rs.765 Crore),(vii) Palanpur-Samakhiali Double Line (Rs.1266 Crore), (viii) Surjapur-Parsa Kante Coal Mine (Rs.457 Crore).

Private sector had indicated their willingness to participate in all the above projects.

(d): Depending on implementation plan by the private sector, the projects are expected to be completed during the Twelfth Five Year Plan.

(e): Ministry of Railways through Joint Venture route, is implementing new line project between Bhupdeopur-Mand Colliery (` 390 Crore) and Gevra-Pendra Road (` 838 Crore) in the State of Chhattisgarh. Doubling of Kirandul- Jagdalpur line (` 826 Crore) is also planned to be implemented with participation of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL).