Email
Print
Share80. Kolkata has a unique distinction of having a circular railway and metro under the Indian Railways. Howrah having been declared as a world class station, there is a need to segregate the suburban services to accommodate upgraded facilities. In this context, decongestion of Howrah by shifting suburban services to Saltgola will also be undertaken. For better integration, we plan to undertake the following works:
a) Dakshineshwar - Dum Dum - Barrackpore metro extenstion
b) Development of terminal at Majerhat
c) Majerhat-Diamond harbour via Joka
d) Majerhat to Diamond Harbour including Khidirpur- Garden Reach-Budge
Budge
e) Dumdum to Garia via Rajarhat
f) Dumdum to Barasat metro extension
g) Park Circus to Bantala
81. Madam, the new rail line from Anantnag to Baramulla in Kashmir Valley has already been completed. Further, Quazigund-Anantnag line will be completed by August 09 and will be inaugurated soon. The work on the J&K project has got a setback as difficulties have been faced on part of the line from Udhampur to Katra and Katra to Quazigund.
82. The alignment on Katra-Quazigund section has been under review and an Expert Committee appointed to study the issues involved has recently submitted its report. Madam, my foremost concern is the safety of the passengers. Therefore the decision in this project has to be made very carefully. I will review the matter soon and see how quickly this section of the national project can be taken up for completion.
83. Madam, the Northeast region is very sensitive and its projects are in progress for providing connectivity to state capitals of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram. In recognition of this, ten rail projects in this region have been declared as National projects, including projects like Bogibeel rail cum road bridge and gauge conversion of Lumding-Silchar-Jiribam, Rangia-Murkongselek. The construction of national project in Sikkim from Sivok to Rangpo is proposed to be entrusted to IRCON for time bound completion. The surveys for new lines connecting Gangtok and Shillong have been completed and the proposals would be further processed for necessary clearances. A proposal for creation of Northeast Region Rail Development Fund has already been initiated to ensure necessary funds for timely completion of National Projects in the region.
84. The work of Lumding-Silchar gauge conversion is getting adversely affected due to adverse law and order conditions in the area. The matter has been taken up with the concerned authorities for providing necessary security so that the work could progress smoothly.
85. I am going to entrust responsibility for monitoring all national projects to a senior officer so that there is strict adherence to time schedules for completion.
New Lines
86. Madam, target of 250 km has been fixed for construction of new lines in 2009-2010. Some prominent sections are as follows:
1. Ghoramara-Dumka of Deogarh-Dumka
2. Bishnupur-Gokulnagar of Tarakeshwar-Bishnupur
3. Lanjigarh-Bhawanipatna of Lanjigarh-Junagarh
4. Quazigund-Anantnag of Udhampur-Baramulla
5. Rewari-Jhajjar of Rewari-Rohtak
6. Kottur-Harihar
7. Churaru Takrala-Amb Andaura of Nangal Dam-Talwara
Gauge Conversion
87. During 2009-2010, a target of completion of gauge conversion of about 1300 km has been fixed including the following sections:
1. Pandharpur-Miraj of Miraj-Latur
2. Saharsa-Dauram Madhepura of Mansi-Saharsa- Purnea
3. Sitamarhi-Bairgania of Jaynagar-Narkatiaganj
4. Parlakimidi-Gunupur of Naupada-Gunupur
5. Mathura-Achnera
6. Aunrihar-Jaunpur
7. Fakiragram-Dhubri
8. Ratangarh-Degana of Sadulpur-Bikaner-Degana
9. Madanapalle Road -Dharamavaram of Dharmavaram-Pakala
10. Quilon-Punnalur
11. Baripada-Bangriposi of Rupsa-Bangriposi
12. Daboi-Chhota Udepur of Pratapnagar-Chhota Udepur
13. Wansjaliya-Jetalsar
14. Ajmer-Phulera
15. Bhildi-Samdari
16. Haibargaon-Mairabari
17. Vellore-Villupuram
Doubling
88. During 2008-09, 363 km of doublings were constructed whereas for 2009-10, target for doubling of 700 km has been fixed. The work of doublings of Phaphamau-Allahabad, Mansa-Bhatinda, Ghutiarisharif-Canning, Dakshin Barasat-Lakshmikantapur, Lohta-Badhoi, Jirat-Ambika Kalna, Magrahat-Diamond Harbour, Yesvantpur-Yelahanka, Yelahanka-Chennasandra, Brundamal-Jharsuguda Flyover, Gandhidham-Adipur, Gandhidham-Kandla Port and Nalikul-Tarakeshwar have been proposed in the Budget.
89. Madam, in this budget time for preparation has been very short. Being an election year, expectations are very high. There has not been enough time to process cases for approvals of Planning Commission. However, we will shortly be sending the major projects for necessary approvals. However, the House will appreciate that "Small is Beautiful". Therefore, in order to continue the pace of creation of infrastructure, I propose to process the following rail connectivity proposals.
a) New Lines:
