Question : RAILWAY NETWORK



(a) whether the idea of having a single and unigauge railway network in the country floated long back is now finding favour and it has now been decided to undertake the execution of this challenging project;

(b) if so, the proposed parameters and formulations in this regard;

(c) the total length of Railways network in the country and its present break up in narrow, metre and broad gauges; and

(d) the details of priorities of starting the work, the time by which the said work is likely to be expanded for this ambitious project?

Answer given by the minister


MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)

(a), (b) & (d): Under Project Unigauge taken up since 1992, 12,200 Kms of Metre Gauge/Narrow Gauge lines have already been converted into Broad Gauge and works are in progress for another about 8,000 Kms as per availability of resources and planned for completion during XI Plan.

(c): The total route kms of Broad Gauge, Metre Gauge and Narrow Gauge as on 31.3.2005 is given in Year Book 2004-05.