(a) the present status of gauge conversion of Jabalpur–Gondiya rail line;
(b) the total cost involved in the said project alongwith the amount spent thereon so far; and
(c) the total amount sanctioned and allocated for this project during the current financial year?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI R. VELU)
(a): On Jabalpur–Gondia (including Balaghat–Katangi branch line) gauge conversion project, work on Gondia–Balaghat section is in progress and the section is targeted for completion during 2004–05. Besides, the work on 12-kms detoured alignment from Jabalpur end is in progress. The work of bridges on Balaghat–Katangi and Balaghat–Nainpur sections has also been taken up.
(b): The total sanctioned cost of the project so far is Rs. 511.86 crore and total expenditure incurred on the project up to 31/03/2004 is Rs. 109.81 crore.
(c): Budget outlay provided for the project during 2004–05 is Rs. 38.06 crore and approximately, expenditure of Rs. 26.19 crore has been incurred on the project till the end of November 2004 in the current financial year.