(a) the total number of projects and programmes intended to promote and expand rail connectivity to the rural and backward areas with hitherto railway links and the funds allocated and released in this regard during the last three years and the current year, State/zone-wise;
(b) whether the Railways propose to begin private public partnership towards this objective;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Railways in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
(SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a): Based on demands raised by State Governments, Central Ministries, Members of Parliament, other public representatives & Railways’ own requirement, the proposals for new line projects are considered. They are taken up on the basis of remunerativeness, last mile connectivity, missing links and alternate routes, augmentation of congested/saturated lines, socio-economic considerations etc. depending upon throwforward of ongoing projects, overall availability of funds and competing demands which covers connectivity in backward & rural areas also. The projects are not sanctioned State-wise, area-wise and region-wise. Since new lines generally straddle over more than one State, details of ongoing projects are maintained Zone-wise. Railways have taken up 151 number of New Line projects. Zone-wise details of the funds allocated during last three years and the current year is appended.
(b) to (d): For encouraging PPP (Public Private Partnership) on Railways, a Policy on Participative models for rail connectivity and capacity augmentation was issued in December, 2012. Model Concession Agreements for Non-Government line model, Joint Venture, Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) and Customer funded models have been issued. Till now under different PPP models, 9 projects have been implemented, 14 projects have been approved for implementation, besides 6 projects which have been given ‘in principle’ approval.
Ministry of Railways in November, 2014 has also issued Sectoral guidelines for Domestic and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI).
******