Written Answers [1 August, 2014] to Unstarred Questions 183

1. 22461/22462 New -Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra Express.

2. 74909/74910 Pathankot-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra DMU

3. 74905/74906 Jammu Tawi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra DMU

4. 74907/74908 Jammu Tawi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra DMU

Further, the following trains connecting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra to various destinations have been announced in the Railway Budget 2013-14 and Interim Railway Budget/Railway Budget, 2014-15:-

1. Kalka-Katra Express (bi-weekly) via Morinda

2. Bandra (T)-Katra Premium Express

3. Howrah-Katra Premium Express

4. Yesvantpur-Katra Premium Express

5. -Katra Express (weekly)

6. Kamakhya-Katra Express (weekly)

While trains announced in Railway Budgets are generally introduced during to the course of same Financial Year, at present, there is no proposal for introduction of train between Chennai and Katra. However, introduction and extension of trains, on , is an on-going process subject to traffic demand, operational feasibility and availability of resources.

Starting a Shatabdi train between and New Delhi

†2573. SHRI RAM NARAIN DUDI :Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) the total number of trains running from New Delhi to , at present;

(b) whether Government proposes to run a Shatabdi Express train between Jodhpur and New Delhi, if not, the reasons therefor; and

(c) the present passenger load in the Express trains running between Jodhpur and New Delhi?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA): (a) Indian Railways do not introduce new trains including Shatabdi Express

†Original notice of the question was received in Hindi. 184 Written Answers [RAJYA SABHA] to Unstarred Questions

trains on State-wise basis as railway network and train operations run across state boundaries. However, at present one Shatabdi Express train viz. 12015/12016 New Delhi- Ajmer Shatabdi Express is running between New Delhi and Rajasthan.

(b) Introduction of new train service including Shatabdi train is an ongoing process subject to traffic justification, operational feasibility, availability of resources, etc. However, at present, there is no proposal to run a Shatabdi Express train between Jodhpur and New Delhi due to operational and resource constraints.

(c) The present passenger load/occupancy of Mail/Express trains running between Jodhpur and New Delhi for the period between 01.01.2014 to 30.06.2014 is as follows:

S.No. Train Occupancy (in %)

1. 12461/12462 Jodhpur-Delhi Mandore Express 102.67/111.51

2. 12463/12464 Jodhpur-Delhi Sarai Rohilla Rajasthan 84.41/109

3. 14659/14660 Delhi-Jaisalmer Express 127.88/115.67

4. 22481/22482 Jodhpur-Delhi Sarai Rohilla Express 85.15/67.68

5. 15013/15014 Kathgodam-Jodhpur Ranikhet Express 141.32/122.15

Railway projects in Jharkhand and Bihar

†2574. SHRI PREM CHAND GUPTA: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Ministry has conducted comprehensive study of delayed developmental railway projects in the country;

(b) if so, the zone-wise details of these railway projects; and

(c) the names of projects in Jharkhand and Bihar regarding which a decision has been taken to complete them on priority during the current and coming financial year?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MANOJ SINHA): (a) and (b) All the ongoing Railway projects are progressing as per availability of funds and their progress is reviewed periodically at various levels. Railways have a huge throwforward of ongoing projects and a limited overall availability of funds. As a result, it is not possible to allot adequate funds to all the projects on regular basis which is a pre-requisite for fixing time lines.

†Original notice of the question was received in Hindi.