Parliament Question: Dholpur-Sarmathura Railway Project

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 586 TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.12.2025 DHOLPUR-SARMATHURA RAILWAY PROJECT †586. SHRI BHAJAN LAL JATAV:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether work on the second phase of the Dholpur–Sarmathura Railway project has not yet commenced despite its announcement in the year 2022–23, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the said project has been prepared and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government acknowledges that there have been significant delays in the land acquisition, environmental clearance and budget allocation processes for the said project and if so, the details thereof;

(d) the present status of the project and the time by which it would be commissioned; and

(e) whether the Government ensure that the project will be commissioned during the year 2025, providing better rail connectivity to millions of people in the Karauli–Dholpur region and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (e): Dholpur-Sirmuttra Gauge Conversion project with new line extension upto Gangapur City (144.6 Km) is a sanctioned project.

Execution of the work has been planned in two phases.Phase-I The work of Dholpur- Sirmuttra Gauge Conversion (69.1 km) has been taken up. 246 hectares of land is to be required to complete the project.

Land acquisition has been taken up. Work has already been taken up on the available land. An expenditure of Rs. 287 crore has been incurred on this project upto March 2025 and an outlay of Rs. 240 crore has been

provided for this project for the financial year 2025-26.

Phase-II For new rail line between Sirmuttra -Gangapur (via Karauli) (76 Km), field survey work and preparation of Detailed Estimate has been taken up.

Various steps taken by the Government for speedy approval and implementation of Railway projects include (i) provision of adequate funds

(ii) delegation of powers at field level (iii) close monitoring of progress of project at various levels, and (iv) regular follow up with State Governments and concerned authorities for expeditious land acquisition, forestry and Wildlife clearances and for resolving other issues pertaining to projects.

This has led to substantial increase in rate of commissioning since 2014.

Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors which include

the following:  Land acquisition  Forest clearance  Shifting of infringing utilities  Statutory clearances from various authorities  Geological and topographical conditions of area  Law and order situation in the area of project site  Number of working months in a year for particular project site etc.

All these factors affect the completion time and cost of the project/s. *****