(a) the criteria laid down to introduce new train services on any route;
(b) the reasons for not introducing new train services on East bound routes from Delhi despite the fact that waiting list remains 300 to 400 every day on East bound trains from Delhi; and
(c) the corrective measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COAL, FINANCE AND CORPORATE AFFAIRS
(SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF STARRED QUESTION NO. 116 BY SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY AND SHRIMATI RAMA DEVI TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 25.07.2018 REGARDING NEW TRAIN SERVICES
(a): Introduction of new passenger carrying trains is an ongoing process on the Indian Railways. The decision to introduce new train services depends on the following factors:
i. Availability of spare line capacity so that the path and schedule for the train can be fixed.
ii. Availability of terminal infrastructure such as pit lines, stabling lines and platform.
iii. Availability of resources -- rolling stock including locomotives and coaches.
iv. Availability of manpower for maintenance and safe operation of trains.
v. Impact on freight traffic.
vi. Patronization/demand for travel on any particular sector.
Requests for introduction of trains are constantly received from members of the Divisional Railway Users Consultative Committee, Zonal Railway Users Consultative Committee, Passenger Associations, Members of Parliament, Members of Legislative Assemblies and other VIPs/dignitaries. These requests are studied in detail by the Divisions and the Zonal Railways and proposals for new services are formulated based on demand, operational feasibility and availability of resources.
(b) and (c): To facilitate the passengers travelling from Delhi to stations situated in Eastern region, 22 pairs of new Express/Passenger train services have been introduced during the period from 2014-15 to 2017-18. In addition, to clear the extra rush of passengers during peak seasons like summer vacations, winter vacations, festivals special trains are operated by Indian Railways subject to operational feasibility, commercial justification, availability of resources etc. Line capacity utilization of major routes going from Delhi to Eastern India is very high (Ghaziabad-Tundla section- 141.82%, Tundla-Kanpur- 163%, Kanpur-Allahabad- 138%, Allahabad-Mughalsarai- 157.03%, Mughalsarai-Buxar- 154.6% with maintenance block). Therefore, further addition of new trains is difficult.
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