Executive Summary:
This document presents the Ministry of Railways' response to questions regarding new railway lines in India. It details survey approvals, fund allocation, and project sanctions over the past three years (FY 2022-23 to 2024-25) and the current year (FY 2025-26), with specific focus on the Kushinagar and Gorakhpur constituencies. The document outlines factors influencing project completion and measures taken for speedy project implementation.
Key Points / Main Content:
Surveys and Sanctions:
* 267 new line surveys (25,740 km total) were sanctioned across India in the last three years and current year, including 32 surveys (1,866 km) partially/fully in Uttar Pradesh (including Kushinagar and Gorakhpur).
* Expenditure on these surveys totaled ₹244 Crore over the last three fiscal years (2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25).
* 237 projects (40 New Line, 17 Gauge Conversion, 180 Doubling) totaling 9,703 km and costing approximately ₹1,90,333 Crore have been sanctioned.
* Specific projects sanctioned in Gorakhpur and Kushinagar include Doubling of Gorakhpur Cantt-Valmikinagar (96 km, ₹1120 crore) and New Line from Anandnagar-Ghugli (53 km, ₹959 crore).
* Work has commenced on the Chhitauni-Tamkuhi Road (62.5 Km) New Line project recently.
Project Execution and Funding:
* Railway projects are sanctioned and executed Zonal Railway-wise, based on factors such as remunerativeness, traffic projections, connectivity, and socio-economic considerations.
* As of April 1, 2025, 10 New Lines (1,227 km, ₹22,854 crore) falling partially/fully in Uttar Pradesh are sanctioned, with 340 km commissioned and ₹10,517 crore spent up to March 2025.
* Budget allocation for infrastructure and safety works in Uttar Pradesh has increased from ₹1,109 crore/year (2009-14) to ₹19,858 Cr. in 2025-26.
* New track commissioning in Uttar Pradesh averaged 199.2 km/year (2009-14) and 479.3 km/year (2014-25).
Project Completion Factors and Measures:
* Project completion depends on land acquisition, forest clearances, cost sharing by State Governments, utility shifting, statutory clearances, geological conditions, and law and order.
* Government measures for speedy approval and implementation include Gati Shakti units, project prioritization, increased funding, delegation of powers, close monitoring, and regular follow-up with State Governments.
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Railways:
* Impact: Accountable for the execution and timely completion of the railway projects as per the guidelines and considerations mentioned in the document.
* Action Required: Continue to monitor project progress, address bottlenecks, and ensure efficient fund utilization.
Zonal Railways (Northern Railway, North Central Railway, North Eastern Railway, East Central Railway and West Central Railway):
* Impact: Responsible for executing railway projects within their respective zones, specifically projects falling fully/partly in Uttar Pradesh.
* Action Required: Implement projects as per sanctioned plans, coordinate with state governments for land acquisition and clearances, and adhere to project timelines.
State Governments (Specifically Uttar Pradesh):
* Impact: Directly benefit from improved railway infrastructure, which can boost economic activity and connectivity.
* Action Required: Facilitate land acquisition, expedite forest clearances, share project costs as agreed, and support project implementation efforts.
Public Representatives (Members of Parliament):
* Impact: Their constituencies benefit from improved railway connectivity and infrastructure development.
* Action Required: Monitor project progress in their constituencies, raise concerns with relevant authorities, and advocate for timely completion.
Key Entities Referenced
SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY: Member of Parliament who raised the unstarred question in Lok Sabha
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: The Minister responsible for answering the question in the Lok Sabha.
Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh: Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh where new railway lines are proposed.
Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: Lok Sabha constituency in Uttar Pradesh where new railway lines are proposed.
Uttar Pradesh: State in India where several railway projects are located.
Indian Railways: The railway network in India, responsible for the projects mentioned in the document.
Gati Shakti: Government initiative aimed at infrastructure development and connectivity.
Northern Railway: One of the zones of Indian Railways involved in projects in Uttar Pradesh.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 553
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
NEW RAILWAY LINE IN THE COUNTRY
553. SHRI VIJAY KUMAR DUBEY:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) the details of survey approved for new railway lines in the
country during the last three years and the current year along
with the present status thereof, zone/section-wise particularly
in the Lok Sabha constituencies of Kushinagara and Gorakhpur;
(b) the details of funds allocated and spent on these surveys
during the last three years, zone-wise;
(c) whether the Railways has sanctioned projects for laying of new
railway lines for which surveys have already been completed, if
so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor, zone,
section-wise; and
(d) whether any time-frame has been fixed to reach a final decision
on the completed survey reports for laying of new railway lines
and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (d): Railway projects are surveyed/ sanctioned/executed Zonal
Railway wise and not State-wise as the Railway’ projects may span
..P/2-:2:-
across State boundaries. Railway projects are sanctioned on the
basis of remunerativeness, traffic projections, last mile
connectivity, missing links and alternate routes, augmentation of
congested/saturated lines, demands raised by State Governments,
Central Ministries, Members of Parliament, other public
representatives, Railway’s own operational requirement, socio-
economic considerations etc. depending upon throwforward of
ongoing projects and overall availability of funds.
During the last three years i.e. FY 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25 and the
current FY 2025-26, 267 surveys for New Lines of a total length of
25,740 km have been sanctioned throughout the country including
32 surveys of total length 1,866 km falling fully/partly in Uttar
Pradesh including Kushinagar and Gorakhpur.
The expenditure incurred on the surveys across Indian Railways
during the last 03 years i.e. FY 2022-23, 2023-24 and 2024-25 is 244
Crore.
Similarly, during the last three years i.e. FY 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-
25 and the current FY, 237 projects (40 New Line, 17 Gauge
Conversion and 180 Doubling) of total length 9,703 Km costing
approx. 1,90,333 Crore have been sanctioned across Indian
Railways, including the following projects falling fully/partly in
Gorakhpur, Kushinagar:-
(i) Doubling of Gorakhpur Cantt-Valmikinagar (96 km) has been
sanctioned at a cost of 1120 crore;
..P/3-:3:-
(ii) New Line from Anandnagar- Ghugli (53 km) has been
sanctioned at a cost of 959 crore;
Moreover, work has been taken up in Chhitauni – Tamkuhi Road
(62.5 Km) New line project recently.
New Line projects falling fully/partly in the State of Uttar Pradesh
are covered under Northern Railway, North Central Railway, North
Eastern Railway, East Central Railway and West Central Railway
zones of Indian Railways. Zonal Railway wise details of Railway
projects are made available in public domain on Indian Railway’s
website.
As on 01.04.2025, 10 New Lines, covering total length of 1,227 Km
costing 22,854 crore falling fully/partly in the State of Uttar
Pradesh are sanctioned, out of which 340 Km length has been
commissioned and an expenditure of 10,517 crore has been
incurred upto March 2025.
Budget allocation for Infrastructure projects and safety works,
falling fully/ partly in Uttar Pradesh is as under:
Period Outlay
2009-14 1,109 crore/year
2025-26 19,858 Cr. (nearly 18 times)
..P/4-:4:-
The details of commissioning/laying of new track falling fully/partly
in the State of Uttar Pradesh during 2009-14 and 2014-25 is as
under:-
New Track Average Commissioning of new
Period
Commissioned tracks
2009-14 996 Km 199.2 Km/year
479.3 km per year (More than 2
2014-25 5,272 Km
times)
The completion of any Railway project depends on various factors
like quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by
officials of forest department, deposition of cost share by State
Government in cost sharing projects, priority of projects, 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 due to climatic conditions etc.
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.
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