MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI ADHIR RANJAN CHOWDHURY)
(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2477 BY SHRI
MAHESHWAR HAZARI, SHRI HARSH VARDHAN AND SHRIMATI SEEMA UPADHYAY TO BE ASNWERED IN LOK SABHA
ON 06.02.2014 REGARDING NEW RAILWAY LINE PROJECTS.
(a): 25 new line projects were included in the Railway Budget 2013-14 at a cost of `23,048.23
Crores. Out of these, preliminary works have been taken up in 3 projects. For the remaining
22 new line projects which were included in the Budget pending approval of Cabinet Committee on
Economic Affairs and Planning Commission have not been taken up.
(b): Financial constraint is one of the greatest impediments for execution of all these new line
projects. Therefore Projects are progressing as per availability of resources. Targets are fixed
every year depending upon availability of resources and progress of individual projects. To
expedite completion of projects, a number of initiatives have been taken to generate additional
resources through non-budgetary measures like funding by State Governments and other beneficiaries,
execution of projects through Rail Vikas Nigam Limited on Special Purpose Vehicle basis, raising
of funds through market borrowing etc. To reduce delays on account of land acquisition, security
issues and forestry clearances etc, meetings with State Officials at various levels are held from
time to time. Field units have been empowered with further delegation of powers and the contract
conditions have been modified to bring efficiency in contract management.
(c): Projects for which pre-conditions of cost sharing/free land have not been agreed to by the
concerned State Governments can be taken up only after the conditions are met.
(d): No, Madam.
(e): Does not arise.
