Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Railways addresses Lok Sabha question 658 regarding the Khalilabad-Bahraich new railway line project. The project, sanctioned at ₹4940 crore, is a Special Railway Project divided into three phases. Land acquisition and construction are underway, with Balrampur station planned as a junction. Project completion is subject to various factors, and special trains will be considered based on operational feasibility.
Key Points / Main Content:
* **Project Overview:**
* Khalilabad-Bahraich new line project (240 km) sanctioned at ₹4940 crore.
* Designated as a Special Railway Project for land acquisition.
* Execution planned in three phases: Khalilabad to Bansi (54 km), Bansi to Shravasti (113 km), and Shravasti to Bahraich (73 km).
* **Progress and Financial Status:**
* Major land acquisition completed for Khalilabad to Bansi section, and work has commenced.
* Expenditure of ₹1067 crore incurred up to March 2025.
* Outlay of ₹421 crore provided for the project in 2025-26.
* **Balrampur Station:**
* Planned as a junction station with trains going towards Gonda, Bahraich, and Shravasti.
* **Measures for Expediting Projects:**
* Setting up of Gati Shakti units.
* Prioritization of projects.
* Substantial increase in fund allocation.
* Delegation of powers at field level.
* Close monitoring of project progress.
* Regular follow-up with State Governments for land acquisition and clearances.
* **Special Trains:**
* Operation of special trains is an ongoing process.
* Indian Railways will consider special trains based on operational feasibility and traffic justification, especially for religious/tourist destinations.
* **Project Completion Factors:**
* Completion depends on land acquisition, forest clearances, shifting utilities, statutory clearances, geological conditions, law and order, and working months.
Impact Analysis:
**State Government:**
* Impact: Required to facilitate land acquisition.
* Action Required: Expedite land acquisition processes and assist in resolving project-related issues.
**Forest Department Officials:**
* Impact: Responsible for granting forest clearances.
* Action Required: Expedite forest clearance processes.
**Railway Authorities:**
* Impact: Responsible for project execution and monitoring.
* Action Required: Implement the project according to the planned phases, monitor progress, and address any issues affecting project timelines.
**General Public/Passengers:**
* Impact: Will benefit from improved rail connectivity upon project completion and potential special train services.
* Action Required: None, but can anticipate improved rail services and connectivity in the future.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Railways: The Indian government ministry responsible for the country's rail transport.
Lok Sabha: The lower house of the Parliament of India.
Khalilabad: Starting point of proposed railway line project.
Bahraich: Ending point of proposed railway line project.
Shri Ram Shiromani Verma: Member of Parliament who raised a question about the railway project.
Dr. Anand Kumar: Member of Parliament who raised a question about the railway project.
Ashwini Vaishnaw: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
Gati Shakti: An initiative aimed at improving infrastructure development and connectivity.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 658
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
NEW RAILWAY LINE FROM KHALILABAD TO BAHRAICH
†658. SHRI RAM SHIROMANI VERMA:
DR. ANAND KUMAR:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the current status of the proposed new railway line project from
Khalilabad to Bahraich via Balrampur and Shrawasti particularly
phase-2;
(b) the measures being taken to expedite the work to ensure completion
on time;
(c) the estimated timeline for the completion and commissioning of the
said line;
(d) whether the Government proposes to take steps like running of
special trains providing a package or the development of station for
the convenience of passengers at religious places like Shrawasti
(Buddhist and Jain pilgrimage sites) and Balrampur (famous Devipatan
Temple);
(e) if so, the details thereof;
(f) whether the Government proposes to confer the junction status to
Balrampur station; and
(g) if so, the time by when it is likely to be done and the financial status
thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (g): Khalilabad - Bahraich via Balrampur and Shravasti (240 km) new
line project has been sanctioned at a cost of ₹4940 crore. The project has
been notified as “Special Railway Project” for acquisition of land through State
Contd...2-2-
Government. Execution of the work has been planned in 3 phases i.e.
Khalilabad to Bansi (54 km), Bansi-Shravasti (113 km) and Shravasti to
Bahraich (73 km). Major portion of land acquisition for Khalilabad to Bansi
section has been completed and accordingly work has been taken up. An
expenditure of ₹1067 crore has been incurred upto March 2025 and an outlay
of ₹421 crore has been provided for this project for the year 2025-26.
Balrampur station has been planned as a Junction station with trains going
towards Gonda, Bahraich and Shravasti.
Various steps taken by the Government for speedy approval and
implementation of Railway projects include (i) setting up of Gati Shakti units
(ii) prioritisation of projects (iii) substantial increase in allocation of funds on
priority projects (iv) delegation of powers at field level (v) close monitoring of
progress of project at various levels and (vi) 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.
Operation of Special train is an ongoing process of Indian Railways. Indian
Railways, subject to operational feasibility, traffic justification etc. operates
Special trains to cater extra rush of passengers during festive season,
vacations or for destinations of religious/tourist value to facilitate tourism and
pilgrimage.
Completion of Railway project/s depends on various factors like quick land
acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by officials of forest
department, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various
authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law and order
situation in the area of project/s 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.
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