Pending railway projects in Bihar
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO 2388
ANSWERED ON 04.08.2017
Pending railway projects in Bihar
2388 Shri Ram Nath Thakur
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to satate :-
(a) whether it is a fact that Government is gearing up for early completion of the ongoing railway projects in the country, if so, the details thereof;
(b) the number of rail lines pending in Bihar, which have not been completed in time; and
(c) by when the Sakri – Nirmali – Bhaptiyahi rail line which is still incomplete, is likely to become operational along with the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)
(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2388 BY SHRI RAM NATH THAKUR ANSWERED IN RAJYA SABHA ON 04.08.2017 REGARDING PENDING RAILWAY PROJECTS IN BIHAR
(a): To expedite completion of ongoing projects, Indian Railways have taken the following steps:
(i) Making higher fund allotment for projects: The capital expenditure for railways has been increased from Rs.58,718 Cr in 2014-15 to around Rs.93,795 Cr in 2015-16. Rs.1,21,000 crore has been provided in Budget 2016-17 and a plan size of Rs.1,31,000 crore has been kept for 2017-18.
(ii) Delegation of powers to the field officers for tenders and estimates: The Zonal Railways have now been delegated full powers with respect to works contracts. Full powers have been given to General Managers of Zonal Railways with respect to sanctioning of estimates. This has also resulted in cutting down time for estimate sanctions and tenders.
(iii) Institutional financing by tying up loan with M/s Life Insurance Corporation of India Limited for Rs.1.5 lakh crore for assured funding of viable projects has increased Railway’s capacity for committed fund provision for essential projects.
(b): As on 01.04.2017, there are 34 New Lines, 5 Gauge Conversion and 13 Doubling ongoing projects falling fully/partly in the State of Bihar.
(c): The Sakri-Nirmali-Bhaptiyahi is part of Sakri-Laukaha Bazar-Nirmali & Saharsa-Forbesganj (206 km) Gauge Conversion project which is in progress. Railway traffic from Sakri to Bhaptiyahi through Kosi Bridge can be commissioned only after completion of Sakri-Nirmali and Saraigarh to Forbesganj Gauge Conversion project.