(a) the future of Shakuntala the only narrow gauge British vintage trains running between Yavatmal and Murtayapur in Andhra Pradesh; and
(b) the details of measures taken up in the 150th year of
Indian Railways to preserve such vintage trains in the
country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI O. RAJAGOPAL)
(a) & (b) The narrow gauge section between Yavatmal and
Murtayapur, in Maharashtra, is a private railway line owned
by the Central Provinces Railways Company Limited. This
line is worked by the Indian Railways in terms of an
agreement entered into with the owning company which
provides an option to the Central Government at an interval
of every ten years, when a financial review is undertaken,
to purchase the line. The next option falls due in the year
2006 when the matter will be examined afresh.