(a) whether the Government has any plans to make provision of washing pit at Purnea Railway Station and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government has also any plans to start new trains from Purnea Railway Station to New Delhi, Kota and Mumbai;
(c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons for the same; and
(d) the status of Kursela-Bihariganj proposed new railway line?
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMERCE & INDUSTRY AND
CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a): Washing pit line facilities are planned as per traffic requirement. At present, there is no requirement of washing pit at Purnea Railway Station. Pit line maintenance facility is available at Katihar, which is only 28 Kilometers from Purnea Railway Station.
(b) & (c): In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Railways is presently operating only special trains keeping in view the suggestions and concerns of the State Government. At present, there is no proposal for introduction of a regular train service bound for New Delhi / Kota / Mumbai from Purnea. However, train connection exists between Purnea and Delhi. Besides, introduction of trains is an on –going process on Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, commercial viability, resource availability, competing demands etc.
(d): Kursela-Bihariganj (58 km) new line Project was included in the year 2008-09 at an estimated cost of ?193 crore. Final Location Survey (FLS) for the project has been completed.
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