HIGH SPEED PASSENGER TRAINS

HIGH SPEED PASSENGER TRAINS

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2812
TO BE ANSWERED ON 20.12.2023

HIGH SPEED PASSENGER TRAINS

2812. SHRI HEMANT SRIRAM PATIL:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to start Vande Bharat trains in various railway divisions falling under Marathwada region in Maharashtra;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government has decided to conduct feasibility study for any railway station in Kerala for upgradation of engineering and station infrastructure for high speed passenger trains; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)

(a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2812 BY SHRI HEMANT SRIRAM PATIL TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 20.12.2023 REGARDING HIGH SPEED PASSENGER TRAINS

(a) to (d) As the Railway network straddles across State/Regional boundaries, train services including Vande Bharat are introduced, as per network requirement, across such boundaries. Besides, introduction of new Vande Bharat train services is an ongoing process over Indian Railways subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, resource availability, etc.

Ministry of Railways has recently launched a Scheme of ‘Amrit Bharat Station’ for development of Stations on Indian Railways. This scheme envisages development of stations on a continuous basis with a long term approach. The scheme involves preparation of Master Plans and their implementation in phases to improve the amenities at the stations like improvement of station access, circulating areas, waiting halls, toilets, lift/escalators as necessary, cleanliness, free WiFi, kiosks for local products through schemes like ‘One Station One Product”, better passenger information systems, executive lounges, nominated spaces for business meetings, landscaping etc. keeping in view the necessity at each such station.

The scheme also envisages improvement of building, integrating the station with both sides of the city, multimodal integration, amenities for ‘Divyangjans’ sustainable and environment friendly solutions, provision of ballast less tracks, ‘Roof Plazas’ as per necessity phasing and feasibility and creation of city centers at the station in the long term.

Total 1309 stations have been selected under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme which includes 35 stations is in Kerala namely Alappuzha, Angadippuram, Angamali For Kaladi, Chalakudi, Changanassery, Chengannur, Chirayinikil, Ernakulam, Ernakulam Town, Ettumanur, Ferok, Guruvayur, Kasargod, Kayankulam, Kollam, Kozhikode, Kuttippuram, Mavelikara, Neyyatinkara, Nilambur Road, Ottappalam, Parappanangadi, Payyanur, Punalur, Shoranur Jn., Thalassery, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrisur, Tirur, Tiruvalla, Tripunithura, Vadakara, Varkala, Wadakancheri, Kannur.