(a) whether the Railways have conducted a survey to lay a railway line from Jaisalmer-Barmer-Kandla from defence point of view;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Railways have any proposal to include laying of new line from Jaisalmer-Barmer onward to Kandla sea Port; and
(d) if so, the time by which it is likely to be implemented?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) to (d): To access the feasibility and viability of Jaisalmer-Barmer-Kandla new line project, a survey from Jaisalmer to Bhabhar via Barmer have been completed in the year 2012-13 as railway line already exists between Bhabhar & Kandla. As per the Survey reports, cost of 338.94 Km new line has been assessed as `1303.7 crore with a negative rate of return. In view of its unremunerative in nature, heavy throwforward of ongoing projects and limited overall availability of resources the project has not been sanctioned. Ministry of Defence has also not agreed to fully finance the construction of Jaisalmer-Barmer line.