Question : CONVERSION OF NARROW GAUGE LINES INTO BROAD GAUGE LINES

(a) whether the Government propose to convert Narrow gauge lines into Metre/Broad gauge lines on priority;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the funds allocated for these conversion work;

(d) the narrow gauge lines which have been converted into metre/broad gauge lines during the last three years;

(e) the time by which the remaining narrow gauge lines are likely to be converted into metre/broad gauge lines; and

(f) the names of the lines linking Somnath which have been considered for conversion from narrow gauge to broad gauge in addition to Ahmedabad-Somnath (Veraval)?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI O. RAJAGOPAL)

(a) : No, Sir.

(b) & (c) : Do not arise.

(d): Pandharpur-Kurduwadi of Miraj -Latur and Nonera-Soni of Guna-Etawah have been completed during last 3 years.

(e) : No time frame has been fixed.

(f): There is no narrow gauge line linking Ahmedabad - Veraval. However, work of gauge conversion of Rajkot-Veraval MG line and Botad-Dhola-Dhasa MG section on Ahmedabad-Dhola-Jetalsar route has been taken up.