(a) whether the Railways propose to extend the Dindigul-Palani train upto Pollachi and Palakkad, EMU train between Aligarh to Delhi from Hathras to Delhi, Jodhpur-Bhildi (Train No. 54821) passenger train upto Palanpur and Train No. 12159/60 upto Rewa;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the details of the amount allocated/ to be allocated for this purpose along with the time by which these proposals come into operation?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA)
(a) & (b) At present, there is no proposal to extend Delhi-Aligarh EMU upto Hathras, 54821/54822 Jodhpur-Bhildi passenger train upto Palanpur and 12159/12160 Jabalpur-Amravati Express upto Rewa due to operational and resource constraints.
As regards extension of Dindigul-Palani train upto Pollachi and Palakkad, it can only be done after gauge conversion from Palani to Palakkad is completed.
(c) Palani-Palakkad gauge conversion is a part of Dindigul-Pollachi-Palghat (Palakkad) & Pollachi-Coimbatore gauge conversion project and an outlay of Rs. 80 crore has been provided for the project during 2014-15. Palani-Polllachi section has been completed. Pollachi-Palakkad section is also at an advanced stage of completion but no definite time frame therefor can be given as it depends on statutory clearance/authorization from Commissioner of Railway Safety.