LOK SABHA ___

SYNOPSIS OF DEBATES (Proceedings other than Questions & Answers) ______

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 / Phalguna 30, 1933 (Saka) ______

INTRODUCTION OF MINISTER

THE PRIME MINISTER (DR. MANMOHAN SINGH) introduced his

Cabinet colleague Shri Mukul Roy to the House who has recently been inducted in the Council of Ministers as the Minister of Railways.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

Re: Accident at unmanned railway crossing near Hathras, North-Eastern

Railways, resulting in loss of Human lives

THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI MUKUL ROY): I am pained to apprise the House regarding an unfortunate incident that occurred today at an

Unmanned Level Crossing wherein one mini van carrying 22 persons and a dead body dashed against Train No. 51976 - Kasganj Passenger at about 07.23 hours on 20.03.2012 between Hathras City and Mendu stations of Mathura-

Kasganj section of Izzatnagar Division of North Eastern Railway. In this incident,

15 persons travelling in the mini van lost their lives and three persons suffered injuries, whereas four persons jumped out of the van and saved themselves. This incident took place at a 'C' class unmanned level crossing with very low traffic density (1050 Train Vehicle Unit as per Census done in November, 2009). No passenger travelling in the train was injured or killed in this incident.

Medical Relief was immediately despatched through an Accident Relief

Medical Train (ARME) which departed Kasganj at 07.55 hours and reached the site of occurrence at 09.15 hours. However, local public and civil authorities had shifted the injured to nearby hospital by the time the ARME reached the site. The injured were moved to a local hospital at Badhwa and those requiring special medical attention were sent to Medical College at . General Manager,

North Eastern Railway and Divisional Railway Manager, Izzatnagar have proceeded to the site of the accident.

As per preliminary information received, the incident occurred due to the negligent driving by the driver of the mini van. The driver did not stop his van at the Stop Board short of level crossing to check for approaching train as prescribed in the Section 131 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.

On humanitarian grounds, an ex gratia amount of rupees two lakh each to the next of the kin of deceased, Rs.50,000 to the grievously injured and Rs.25,000 to persons who sustained simple injury has been announced.

On behalf of Railways and myself, I express deep condolences to the bereaved families and also express sincere sympathies to the injured. I trust the

House will join me in extending heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

*MATTERS UNDER RULE 377

(i) SHRI P. VISWANATHAN laid a statement regarding need to open

a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Kancheepuram city, .

(ii) SHRI VILAS MUTTEMWAR laid a statement regarding need to

accord approval for the establishment of Academy of Scientific and

Innovative Research at Nagpur, .

(iii) SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL laid a statement regarding need to start

construction of Theme Park immediately at Kapilvastu in Siddharth

Nagar district of .

(iv) SHRI MANICKA TAGORE laid a statement regarding need to

promote and explore use of wind energy in Tamil Nadu to address the

problem of shortage of power in the State.

(v) SHRI R. DHRUVANARAYANA laid a statement regarding need to

include Soliga Tribe living in the Chamarajanagar Parliamentary

Constituency, in the list of Primitive Tribal Groups.

(vi) SHRIMATI BOTCHA LAKSHMI laid a statement

regarding need to permit export of additional 20 lakh bales of cotton.

* Laid on the Table as directed by the Speaker. (vii) SHRI BHOOPENDRA SINGH laid a statement regarding need to

undertake repair of National Highway No. 86 between Makronia to

Chhattarpur in .

(viii) SHRI VIRENDRA KUMAR laid a statement regarding need to

repair and re-construct NH 76 on Jhansi-Chhattarpur-Bamitha section

and NH 84 between -Dewas.

(ix) SHRI HARIN PATHAK laid a statement regarding need to set up a

Coast Guard Station at , to strengthen maritime

security.

(x) SHRI SURESH ANGADI laid a statement regarding need to abolish

the system of collection of entry tax in cantonment areas of ,

Karnataka.

(xi) SHRI R. K. SINGH PATEL laid a statement regarding need to

provide free irrigation and power facilities to farmers in the country

particularly in Bundelkhand region.

(xii) DR. SHAFIQUR RAHMAN BARQ laid a statement regarding need

to set up police booth in the vicinity of the residences of Members of

Parliament in to ensure safety from anti-social elements and

burglars.

(xiii) SHRI VISHWA MOHAN KUMAR laid a statement regarding need

to provide adequate compensation to families displaced due to acquisition of their land for construction of bridge on river Kosi in

Bihar.

(xiv) SHRI SUVENDU ADHIKARI laid a statement regarding need to

connect Mecheda with Ranichak and Haldia through NH 41 in West

Bengal.

(xv) SHRIMATI J. HELEN DAVIDSON laid a statement regarding need

to enhance security and welfare of fishermen in the country.

(xvi) SHRI M. VENUGOPALA REDDY laid a statement regarding need

to establish a Chilli Board in Palnadu area of Guntur district, Andhra

Pradesh.

(xvii) DR. RAGHUVANSH PRASAD SINGH laid a statement regarding

need to repair National Highway from Chhapra to and

from Muzaffarpur to Barauni in .

(xviii) SHRI BALIRAM JADHAV laid a statement regarding need to

expedite constrtuction of railway line between Dahanu and Nasik,

introduction MEMU service between Dahanu and Valsad and EMU

service between Dahanu and Churchgate in Maharashtra.

THE BUDGET (RAILWAYS) – 2012-13-GENERAL DISCUSSION

DEMANDS FOR GRANTS ON ACCOUNT (RAILWAYS) – 2012-13 SUPPLEMENTARY DEMANDS FOR GRANTS (RAILWAYS)- 2011-12

AND

DEMANDS FOR EXCESS GRANTS (RAILWAYS)-2009-10

SHRIMATI SUMITRA MAHAJAN initiating the discussion, said: whenever railway budget is presented, the entire country expects it to be the budget for the entire country but in practice we get to see that whenever railway budget is presented then only populist announcements are made and budget is rendered to be merely an arrangement for providing facilities to one’s own region. The priorities of the budget keep on changing continuously. I would appreciate the former

Minister for setting up two committees which considered over the modernization and safety aspects of the Railways in a manner that projects are not divided and they are formulated in a wholesome manner. The first sentence of the report submitted by the Anil Kakodakar committee is that the financial state of Indian

Railways is on the brink of collapse unless some concrete measures are taken. The second committee constituted under the Chairmanship of Sam Pitroda has remarked “At present, the is close to falling into the vicious circle of diminishing efficiency, falling safety standards, eroding share in national freight and passenger traffic and possibly ending up as a burden on the national economy instead of being its bulwark and vital support”. It has also talked about fifteen focus areas. The Minister of Railways in his budget speech has remarked that these focus areas will require an amount of Rs. 5.6 lakh crore if we want to implement and improve it fully. Similarly, Vision-2020 require an amount of Rs.

14 lakh crore over a period of ten years which means that an amount of Rs. 1.4 lakh crore is required every year. However, the budget we have in our hand today has a provision of 60 thousand and 100 crore rupees only which is about 42 per cent of the annual amount we are talking about. Now the question arises is that even though very ambitious schemes have been formulated and Expert Committees have been constituted but what do we have on our hands today? The amount allocated under various schemes is ridiculously low as compared to the requirement. In this budget, there is a target of increasing the freight by 5.6 per cent to take it upto 1025 million metric tonnes which was 970 million metric tonnes last year. There is also a mention of increasing the passenger fare. By taking all these measures, there is a target of earning Rs. 1 lakh 32000 crore.

Target of 27.6 per cent increase in revenue earnings is sought to be achieved by

Railways. A very rosy picture has been painted. However, I would like to know whether any attention has been paid as to how much inflation increase it will lead to. Freight rates were suddenly revised while issuing a notification on 6th of March under which not only the slabs of the freight carriage in kilometer were changed but the foodgrains were also taken out of the concession advantage being enjoyed under category 130A implying that pulses, rice, wheat etc. will share the increase of revised freight rate. It is well known that transportation cost upto 15% is added to the final cost of goods. If such an addition takes place, it will result in an increase of 56 paise per kilogram and taking into account the profit component, foodgrains will become costlier by Rs. One to one and half per kilograms. Such will be the extent of inflation. Not only the foodgrains will become costlier but coal will also become dearer resulting in increased cost of power generation which will ultimately be borne by the common man. The expert committees have also suggested for setting up of several authorities. It will lead to loss of credibility and dampen the pace of work. Particular attention has to be paid towards this aspect.

Besides, the issue of PPP project has also come to the fore. However, PPP has to be understood in its true essence in that the partners have to meet their respective responsibilities and taking advantage of concessionary regime should not be the only motive for such partnership. It has been seen quite often that officers tend to join corporation after their retirement. This aspect need to be paid particular attention while forming PPP projects, else Indian Railways is going to meet the fate of Indian Airlines. Now, I would like to talk about pending projects. Several projects are announced but they are not completed due to lack of fund allocation. I would like to quote the example of Indore-Dahod via Maxi-Devas in my constituency which is a tribal area. The initial cost of the project was Rs. 370 crore which has been escalated to Rs. 1470 crore. What is the allocation for it? It ranges from merely Rs. 40 to 70 crore. We need to seriously ponder over as to how these projects can be completed in such a situation. Madhya Pradesh is being ignored in the matter of Railways. There was a project in Bundelkhand from Bhind to Harpalpur-Mahoba for which survey work was completed during Atalji’s

Government but nothing has come out of it. Similarly, there are several other projects like Guna-Itawa and Bhind-Itawa etc. on which no attention is being paid.

No allocation of funds is being made for the projects in Madhya Pradesh.

Introduction of a train between Indore- is a long pending demand.

Similarly, Indore- express has not been made regular. We had made a demand to extend the Reevanchal express upto Indore but it has not been done. At last, I would like to conclude by saying that Railways require a thorough surgery to regain health.

SHRI P. C. CHACKO: I am very glad to support this Budget that this

House has got an opportunity to discuss a Budget which is futuristic, growth- oriented and has taken into consideration all the concerns of the Indian Railway, the third largest Railway network in the world. Before I go into the Budget in the background of the criticism against the Budget, I feel that finding fault with others, one should look inwards. The requirement of the Indian Railway is huge. The amount required is very huge and the money provided is very little. This year’s

Railway Budget is Rs. 1,13,461 crores and we have to compare this Budget with the previous year’s Budget, not that with the requirements. Whether it is the

General Budget or the Railway Budget, requirement is so huge and our resources are limited. In spite of all the shortcomings, in spite of all the problems of resource mobilization Railways could keep the balance today and Rs.1,13,000 crore is being raised with the Budgetary support also from the internal resource mobilization and, of course, a small sum of money is taken from the market as borrowings. This is an improvement on the previous year’s Budget. In budget the focus was on safety and modernization. This Budget has drawn its strength from the two committees constituted by the Railway Ministry, that is, the Anil Kakodkar

Committee and the Sam Pitroda Committee. The Anil Kakodkar Committee has given a detailed road map about how the safety can be ensured along with a time- bound programme. It needs almost Rs. 5 lakh crore for implementing the safety aspect. All the un-manned level crossings in this country are to be eliminated in five years. The modern technology can help the braking system and the signaling system. That modernization scheme is being prepared by Shri Sam Pitroda. We need Rs.14 lakh crore for the modernization of the Indian Railways. Where would the money come from? Today, if the Railway is short of anything, it is investment.

The marginal investment which we are making every year will not help the situation. Government of gave Rs.24,000 crore as gross budgetary support to the Railways. Definitely we an ask more. Railways needs more. We have devised the PPP mode. It is a fact that Indian Railway system has to be developed not only with the Railways’ own resources but with the private participation also. Today the airports at , , , Delhi, Bengaluru or wherever, are on par with the international airports. It became possible because of public-private participation. The money is available with the people and that should be mobilized through the PPP mode. I come to the fare revision in the Railways. In these last ten years, all the parties sitting here – BJP, Congress, Left and other were ruling in different States. Can they say how many times they increased the fares of the buses of the State Transport Corporation, taxies and auto-rickshaws? It may be at least half-a-dozen times. We are all concerned here about the health of the

Railways and how it could be developed. So, as a whole, we cannot say that the entire fare increase in unreasonable. We can think of a marginal roll back. The

House can collectively decide where we have to reduce the fare but we should not come to the conclusion that the entire fare revision is unreasonable. Tomorrow we will have to see that the Railway is developing. Today, the operating ratio of

Railways is 95 per cent. What does it mean? It means that to make Rs.100 the

Railways has to invest Rs.95. The Budget says that in the current year, that is, in

2012 we want to bring down the operating ratio to 84.9 per cent or say 85 per cent.

It not a small thing. The internal resources can be generated. We can borrow from the market. But before borrow, we need money. That money has to come from the public, private sources and market. Today, there is a Metro Railway in Delhi.

What is the share of the Central Government? What is the share of the State

Governments? The 60 per cent of money is borrowed from international agencies.

Wherever money is available to borrow, we have to borrow it. We cannot expect growth without investment. This Budget, which was presented by Shri Dinesh

Trivedi, is also on the basis of Vision 20:20. It means that what is the road map of Indian Railways for the next 20 years. We do not have sufficient money for passenger facilities. The passenger facility means renovation of the railway stations. Most of the Railway stations in far-flung areas of the country are not maintained properly. We from are undertaking the longest journey in the country to reach the Capital. But we have got only one train. Yeshvantpur train which is culminating at Kannur may be extended to Calicut. We also demanded a train from Mumbai through Konkan to Kerala. The is a partnership of Kerala, Karnataka, and Maharashtra. On this line, there is still space for one more additional train to come from Mumbai to Kerala. There was a mention about a coach factory. I hope that the Railways will take the Palakkad

Coach Factory seriously. The provision may be increased for this Coach Factory.

Railways are short of wagons. They have decided to have wagons factories in some places. We have given land in Alleppey and every facility was given to the

Railways. We also entered into a Memorandum of Understanding also. There is no mention of this Wagon Factory at Alleppey. One day you may travel with us in the coaches of the trains that are south-bound. The cleanliness and the facilities of the coaches are very inadequate. The coaches that are discarded in other sectors are being sent to the South. This system should be changed. Railways have got invaluable railway properties all over India. We can mobilize money by utilizing the railway property in a commercial manner. If the railway property, which is very valuable, is commercially exploited, then we can get good revenue from this property. Towards this end, I would like to submit that there is a pit-line proposal in Calicut in West Hill and there is a railway property which is a very valuable property. I appreciate the futuristic plan of the Railways. With these words, I support the Railway Budget.

SHRI REWATI RAMAN SINGH: Railway is the largest public sector undertaking employing millions of people but I regret to say that even after 64 years of Independence, the Railways is afflicted of its plights. The situation has come to such a pass that it is able to run only with the monetary support provided in General Budget. Otherwise, it will fail and will continue to incur loss. It has many reasons. Every new minister brings with him/her plethora of declaration about introducing new rails and launching new rail schemes but they all go half way and hardly any of the commitments made by any of those railway ministers are fulfilled in toto. A demand to connect Mainpuri with was outstanding for years which, possibly, has been included in the current Budget. The announcements of railway projects should be implemented in time-bound manner.

Former Minister of Railways had said that the recommendations of the Kakodar

Committee and the Pitroda Committee would be implemented in toto. I believe that time-bound implementation of the recommendations will lead to zero accident situation. Today, an accident occurred at an unmanned level crossing at Hathras in

Uttar Pradesh claiming 14 lives. The Government should provide maximum assistance to the families of the deceased. The increase in fares of general class and sleeper class should be rolled back. There is a great need of improvement in catering and the toilet facilities in railways. Mamataji had announced to upgrade

Allahabad station to a multiplex station which is yet to be done. She had also said that a medical college for railway employees would come up. But work on that is yet to be started. At least two bullet trains, one from Kolkata to Delhi and the other from Mumbai to Delhi should be introduced. Work on western corridor has started but on eastern corridor, no work has started as yet. It should be started at the earliest. Land acquisition is the most difficult task. I would like to suggest that one person from every land loser family should be given employment in the railways so that they don’t resist in giving away their land. The Government will have to develop infrastructure to run the trains at a speed of 200 km. per hour.

Otherwise, there would be accidents. About 30 to 50 crore people from all over the world visit Kumbh fair. Lifts and escalators should be provided and ramps should be constructed for the facility of the passengers at the stations in all the metropolitan cities and especially at Allahabad. Duronto train runs only three days in a week. In view of the Kumbh fair, it should be made a daily train. There is only one direct train from Delhi to Allahabad i.e. Prayag Raj Express. It will be a great convenience if it is scheduled to depart in the morning time from platform no.16. One Duronto train should also be introduced from Allahabad to Kolkata.

One train each from Allahabad to Jammu and Allahabad to Bangalore should be introduced. An ROB at Rambagh should be constructed immediately. Kanpur should be extended upto Allahabad and stoppage should be provided at Etawah in up and down. Triveni train which runs from to

Mirzapur should be provided stoppage at Karchhana in my constituency.

Allahabad-Kanpur Intercity Express runs with one rake only, it should be provided two rakes. A direct train from Balia to Delhi should be introduced.

DR. KIRODI LAL MEENA: The railway fares have not been increased for the last 8-9 years due to which the Railways have incurred a loss of 40-50%. Now, the Minister of Railways has made an announcement regarding increase in passenger fares and this compensates to around 10%. The Minister of Railways has made an announcement for developing around 100 stations on the lines of the development of airports which is a good step. Another good thing is that a separate Indian Railway Authority will be constituted now which will look after the railway projects. Not much attention has been paid towards increasing the railway network. Not much has been given to in this Railway Budget.

In my parliamentary constituency, a project relating to laying of a railway line from Dausa to Gangapur city is going on at a snail’s pace for the last 15 years which is an important link. No budgetary provision has been made this year with a view to complete this project. I demand that necessary fund may be provided for this purpose. Same situation is with regard to Dhaulpur-Karauli railway line, funds should also be provided for completing this railway line so that the backward area of Dang could develop. SHRI PAKAURI LAL: I oppose the railway fare hike in every class for the people who are already reeling under the burden of price hike. There are a number of people from Poorvanchal in my parliamentary constituency, Robertsganj, but they face many difficulties due to shortage of drains.

It is requested to provide stoppage and change the routes of following trains in public interest:

• Prayagraj Express which runs from Delhi to Allahabad should be

extended upto Shaktinagar (Sonbhadra), U.P.

• -Singrauli Inter-city train No. 13345/13346 should be run

from Varanasi to Shaktinagar and should be linked with Gorakhpur

Varanasi train No. 15103/15104 from both the sides.

• The route of train no. 12537/12538, Bapu Dham Express should be

extended upto Shaktinagar East-Central Railway via Chunar-

Chaupan.

*SHRI GAJANAN D. BABAR: During the last ten years the entire complexion of Pune has changed. The influx of population to Pune from various parts of the country is continuously increasing. That is why it is necessary to start new trains from thee for the facility of passengers. Frequency of Jodhpur and

Jaipur Express trains from Pune should be increased. Pune-Ratnagiri-Sawantwadi train should be started. Railway stations at Hadapsar and should be set

* Original in Marathi up so that congestion at Pune station will be reduced. For suburban passengers, smart card facility should be introduced. The proposal of metro railway for Pune city and adjoining are should be finalized. The condition of goods sheds of ,

Karad, Sangli- is very pathetic. Railways should construct its own godowns for storing fertilizers, food grains, sugar and cement. The work of new office of

Pune railway station should be completed at the earliest. Pune City-Shirdi and

Pune- Superfast express should be introduced. Intercity Express should be started for Nanded, Solapur and Ratnagiri. New trains from Pune to Chandrapur and Pune to should be started. Pune-Delhi Duranto Express should be converted into daily train. Pune-Kolhapur Shatabdi Express and Pune-Savantwadi train should be started. Superfast Express should be started from Pune to Chennai and Bangalore. Purna Express, Pune- Express, Pune-Lucknow and

Pune-Jaipur Express should run at least thrice a week. A separate terminal at

Manjari or should be established. Pune has made lot of progress in IT and industry sector, still the demands of people of Pune in regard to railways are always neglected. People of Pune are expecting that their demands will be considered.

SHRI JOSE K. MANI: I would like to request for setting up a new coaching terminus at Railway Station. To my great disappointment, I would like to stress the strategic importance . Necessary work on new coaching terminus at Kottayam railway station be initiated by allocation of token funds for coaching centre in the current budget. There is a constant flow of pilgrims converging into Kottayam railway station. It was proposed to construct a pilgrim shelter at Kottayam railway station. It is very disappointing that till now no work has been initiated on this project. The pilgrim shelter project will be taken up with work and location specific fund allocation made in the current budget. I request that multi functional complex project be taken up on priority and work initiated for inviting bids. It is essential to take up development work on these Adarsh stations falling in my constituency during the current budget year. It would be beneficial to the travelling public if the existing passenger rakes running on and Ernakulam section. It is discomforting to note that more than 480 ongoing projects of capacity addition nature are far behind the deadline set for completion. It would be prudent not to embark on new capacity augmentation projects until the backlogs are cleared. It is imperative that the workforce be given proper orientations towards railway safety and upgradation of their skills be made a continuous process.

SHRI PASHUPATI NATH SINGH: 19 new trains should be introduced in Jharkhand and frequency of 24 trains should be increased. A railway zone should be set up in Dhanbad and along with it Railway Divison office should be opened in Sahebang and Bokaro should be brought under the Dhanbad railway division. Rail connectivity should be provided from Dhanbad to Giridih and

Ranchi, Tatanagar, Bokaro, Dhanbad, Deoghar, Dumka, Pakur, Sahebganj stations should be made model railway stations. A rail factory should be set up at

Chakradharpur.

Besides it, trains between Hatia-Mumbai and Hatia-Yashwantpur should be run daily upto Dhanbad. I demand that trains running at Ranchi-Alipurdwar-

Guwahati, Ranchi- Garib Rath, Ranchi-Lokmanya Tilk, Ranchi-Ajmer

Sharief, Hyderabad-Darbhanga, Bhubaneshwar-New Delhi routes should be run on a daily basis.

SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT: Dumping Yard set up in the heart of

Lohardaga city should be shifted to the outskirts of the city as soon as possible.

Besides connecting Lohardaga to Raigarh in Chhattisgarh state, industrial rail corridor should be constructed at the earliest. The Doubling of rail route from

Ranchi to Lohardaga should be undertaken. Lohardaga to Tori rail project should be completed at the earliest. Lohardaga railway station should be developed as a model railway station. Ganga-Satlaj express (13301-13306) should be extended upto Ranchi. A railway line should be laid from Lohardaga to Korba, via-Gumla,

Jaspur. A railway line from Lohardaga to Jharsugada should be laid via Gumla,

Jaspur, Kunkuri. Train service should be introduced from Lohardaga to

Jamshedpur via Dhanbad.

SHRI DARA SINGH CHAUHAN: Everybody is aware of the post -

Budget increase in rail fares. I request the Minister to roll back the increase in fare of general class. Earlier, a terminal at Mau was announced but no work has started there. So, work should be started there. A train from Mau to Delhi via Azamgarh-

Jaunpur should be introduced. -Varanasi, Tapti-Ganga earlier known as

Surat-Varanasi Express has been extended upto Chhapra. It should be extended upto Surat via Azamgarh and Mau. The frequency of Ganga-Kaveri which runs from Banaras to Chhapra via Ghazipur-Balia should be increased from two days a week to three days a week and should run via Mau. There is a busy Zero-B Gate at

Mau. An underbridge or an overbridge should also be constructed there. Railway is a big center of manpower. Quotas for SC, ST and OBC have not been filled as yet. These quotas should be filled. Azamgarh should be connected to Kolkata via

Chhathiya, Mubarakpur, Mohammadabad, Rasada and Balia. The Survey for the doubling of lines should be translated into action. There is a need for doubling and financing the Shahganj-Azamjagrh-Mau-Chhapra line because Mau is a big centre of Poorvanchal. The earlier arrangements of catering at Mau railway station should be restored. Banaras is a World renowned railway station and people from all over the world visit Banaras, the problems there should be looked into.

Provision should be made in this budget for Mau Terminal and this work should be started. Mau should be linked with Delhi.

SHRI C. RAJENDRAN: The Railway Minister had increased the freight charges. This increase would increase the prices of essential commodities. This would lead to higher inflation and the common man may not be able to take this.

Safety of travelling public is the most important concern. I request the Minister that at least two GRP/RPF personnel would be required in each coach of the trains to take care of the passengers. Modernization of Chennai Central Railway station should be taken up and completed as early as possible. Cleanliness and hygiene in the station areas are not being taken care of at all. The Railways has to take adequate measure so that the travelling public, especially in the long distance trains, are not put to undue hardship. Public are not getting quality food. The

Railways have to pay immediate attention to this aspect and set things right.

Double line project from Villupuram and Trichy may be considered and included in this Budget. A daily train from New Delhi to Kanyakumari via Trichy or

Tanjore be announced. This would mitigate the hardships being faced by the common people. I request the Minister to consider and concede to have a direct train between Chennai Central and Jodhpur daily. I request the hon. Minister to allot additional reservation counters and ticket dispensing counters at Tambaram,

Chromepet, Pallavaram, Mambalam and Saidapet stations. Tambaram Railway

Station needs to upgrade on a war-footing.

SHRI BHASKARRAO BAPURAO PATIL KHATGAONKAR: Nanded

Division of Marathwada has constantly been ignored with regards to some of its key railway demands. The key demands are : to sanction adequate funds in

Railway Budget 2012-13 for the work of Nanded-Degloor-Bidar new railway line and for laying double track between Mudkhed-Parbhani. New super fast train like

Garibrath may be introduced for the benefit of passengers from Mumbai. Mumbai Latur daily express train may be extended to Nanded, Nanded and Bidar are holy pilgrimage spots of the Sikh community Hence, I request you to kindly sanction this project of Nanded-Naigaon Degloor-Hanegaon-Bidar new line for the benefit of the pilgrims and make provision of adequate funds in railway budget for early completion of this project.

SHRI DINESH CHANDRA YADAV: This rail budget is a budget of annexures. Last year, the rail budget was termed as the budget of the common man and this year also it has been said that it is the budget of common man. This time the Freight charges have been increased even before the presentation of the budget which has resulted in 30 to 40% increase in the price of salt. Passenger fare has been increased and this increase will contribute about Rs. 4000 croes in the income of Railways which is negligible. I am unable to understand as to what is the line of thinking of the people running the government. It can not be denied that the areas where the rail link is available are prosperous. Bihar is being neglected since long be it planning, number of trains or extension of trains. This budget has been prepared in haste. Mamataji had announced updating the survey work of more than hundred rail sections and had said that she will start the desired projects for linking the backward areas by formulating Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana.

I demand that 41 kilometer rail section from Mansi to Saharsa be doubled.

Saharsa-Madhepura rail section should also be electrified. Saharsa DMU trains from Saharsa to Samstipur via Hasanpur, to Khagria should be started. A passenger train from Saharsa to Samastipur via Hasanpur should run at night for which a proposal is already there. A night passenger train should run from

Saharsa to Sonepur. Train No. 12553-12554 New Delhi-Barauni-Vaishali Express should be extended upto Saharsa. - express should be made a daily train instead of a weekly one. Jaynagar- Saharsa, Janki express should be made a daily train. Jansadharan express which is plying once a week should also be regularized. Stoppage of Seemanchal express should be provided at Mansi station. Khagaria is a district headquarters so stoppage of Bikaner-Guwahati express, Guwahati-Samparkranti express and Garib Nawaz express should be provided at Khagaria railway station. New Jalpaiguri express should also have stoppage at Hasanpur Road station. Fund should be provided for all the pending rail projects in Bihar and they should be completed within the stipulated period. If targets are set, they should also be achieved. There is a need to pay attention towards completion of a rail road bridge over river Ganga at which is an ambitious project for Bihar, construction of which was started much earlier. A road over bridge should be constructed at Khagaria level crossing no. 23B at the earliest. An over bridge should be constructed at Simari-Bakhatiyarpur-Sonwarsa level crossing no. 17B and Khagaria-Umeshnagar station level crossing no. 24. A road over bridge should be sanctioned at level crossing no.22 in Narkatiyaganj.

Fund should be provided for setting up of Greenfield Electric Loco factory in

Madhepura. Besides, fund should also be arranged for completion of rail wheel manufacturing plant at Chhapara. Trains should be provided from Saharsa

Junction to Mumbai, Ahemdabad, Tata Nagar, Bengaluru and Chennai.

Arrangements of drinking water and seating space for the passengers should be made available at Saharsa Junction. A foot over bridge should be constructed on the South of Saharsa railway station. The dilapidated foot over bridge at Supaul railway station should be re-constructed.

SHRI R. THAMARAISELVAN: The few railway projects concerning my

Dharmapuri Parliamentary constituency need special attention of the hon. Railway

Minister. Morappur-Dharmapuri rail line should be laid. Rail over-bridges should be constructed at Adhiyaman Kottai Railway Gate falling on the Dharmapuri-

Salem National Highway (NH-7), Vennampatti Railway Gate in Dharmapuri town, Pennagaram Railway Gate (Kumarasamy Pettai Railway Gate), Kadagathur

Railway Gate, Chinthalpadi Railway Gate and Buddireddipatti railway Gate.

Manned level crossing should be created at Sivanalli village, stoppage of Alleppey

Tata Nagar – Bokaro Express and Chennai--Chennai Express at Morappur railway station and Mumbai-Kanyakumari Mumbai Express and

Sabari Express at Bommidi railway station and Bangalore--Bangalore

Express at Dharmapuri railway station should be provided. Frequency of

Bangalore-Nagarcoil Express be increased. A new train between Bangalore and

Dharmapuri should be introduced. A Foot-over bridge should be constructed at Dharmapuri railway station. Normal reservation facility should be provided at

Dharmapuri railway station.

SHRI AMARNATH PRADHAN: I request the Hon’ble Minister to emphasize on basic passenger facilities especially hygiene and medical facilities on board. There is an urgent requirement of a new train from my constituency headquarter Sambalpur in Orissa to Allahabad. This will suffice the need of the people going to perform last rites.

SHRI SANJAY BHOI: Bargarh and Jharsuguda stations in my parliamentary constituency were declared by Kumari Mamata Banerjee as Adarsh

Station. Padampur, a sub-division of my constituency was identified for opening a

PRS counter. Unfortunately, no work has been done in regard to both of these. I request to accept these demands.

SHRI NILESH NARAYAN RANE: Mail/express trains should have stoppage at the important stations of the Konkan region. There should be reservation quota for the people of the Konkan region in the trains that pass through this region. I seek the special attention for Konkan from our Railway

Minister from economic and tourism points of view. I appeal to the Minister to attach special priority to the Konkan Railways in the overall framework of railway safety, as it is located in a fragile eco-system and is vulnerable to disruptions during monsoon raising questions about safety of passengers. I urge the Minister to kindly intervene in facilitating early completion of the several projects for Konkan

Railways initiated in the preceding years.

SHRI ARJUN CHARAN SETHI: Railway is the biggest Government undertaking and the largest one also in the world. It is the single system, which consists of 64,460 route kms. of track that cris-cross the country. I will mainly confine my speech regarding the White Paper on Indian Railways placed on the floor of the House by the then hon. Minister for Railways. My first observation is this. Does the Ministry of Railways have Parliamentary sanction for re- appropriation of funds between various funds paid/plan heads and zones of

Railways? Over the period of time, it is seen that whatever this hon. House gives approval to, particularly, to the project and amount is being diverted/reappropriated to some other project. This is not allowed as per the system in vogue

Parliamentary system. How can the Railway officials overrule and re-appropriate those funds? So, I would like to urge upon the hon. Minister to take note of it.

Will not the transfer of funds from Capital Fund to Development Fund dilute the very purpose for which these Funds were created? When the operational losses incurred on the strategic lines by the Ministry of Railways is more or less being reimbursed for the last three years, then on what basis can this be justified as a ground for reduction of rate of dividend? As against China’s addition of new lines of 1000 kilometres per annum, India achieved a mere 220 kilometres per annum during 2004-05 and 2008-09. The payment of ex-gratia to the victims of train accidents would not serve the purpose because those who died have died, no amount of ex-gratia can help their families. On the issue of safety, it was said that the number of accidents has come down. The unmanned level crossings were

16,976 as on 01-04-2009. Out of annual allocation of about 700 crore for the purpose, the expenditure has been about 500 crore. How it can be done? When money is available, why that money cannot be utilized? The number of cognizable crime under IPC has come down from 20,623 in 2004-05 to 15,336 in 2008-09 and for passenger amenities, the public perception is not good in terms of catering, cleanliness, punctuality, efficiency. I want to tell a few words about my State.

Orissa and there are three important Railway projects in operation since more than one decade. The length of the Khurda-Bolangir line is 289 kilometres. The achievement made in the last more than ten years was only 16 kilometres. The

Government has spent Rs.200 crore. They have earmarked only Rs.40 crore for the current year. If this kind of thing goes on, it will take hundreds of years to complete a project. I would ask the ho. Minister to look into this project.

Similarly, another important project is the Port Link Project, Haridaspur-Paradip

Project. There was some kind of confusion between the land owners as well as the

State Government and the Railways. We are told that this type of confusion is already over. Why has only Rs.2 crore been earmarked for the current year? They have declared Bhubneswar as the world class station three years back. But there is no sign of anything. Similar is the case of Puri. Puri is not only a place of tourist importance but also an important place from all angles. The Government have declared it a world class station. But still the Government is only thinking about it.

I would request the hon. Minister to look into it. He should try to set right the auditing or the financial management system so that there is sanctity.

SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT: Sandila and Bilhaur stations should be developed more by upgrading them as Model Stations. All express trains should be given a stoppage at Balamau railway junction and an exclusive restroom should be constructed there for VIP passengers. The Department of Railways should set up a Kendriya Vidyalaya in Balmau. Another ticket boking counter should be opened on the other side of the Balamau Railway Junction. A railway overbridge should be constructed over Balamau Railway Junction. Sitapur meter gauge railway line via Kanpur-Balamau should be converted into a broad gauge. Sitapur-

Lucknow metre gauge should also be converted into broad gauge.

Misrikh parliamentary constituency is extremely backward. Metro passenger coach factory should be set up here to develop it. Centre of Excellence in software should be set up under the aegis of Centre for Railway Information

System in Misrikh. A power plant has been sanctioned in my Parliamentary

Constituency Sandila. If a gas based power plant is set up by the Railways here, it would facilitate more development in the area apart from removing backwardness there. An under bridge should be constructed under Knapur-Farrukhabad railway line. An overbridge should also be constructed in Sandila and Bilhaur of my constituency. A Shatabdi Express from Lucknow to New Delhi via Bareilly should be introduced. A new railway line should be laid from Bilhaur to Makanpur

Madarshah mausoleum at the earliest after getting a survey conducted there.

Naimisharanya pilgrimage place should be provided a pilgrim train connectivity.

There is a world famous mausoleum of Madarsah at Makanpur in Kanpur City

District, under my parliamentary constituency Misrikh, District Sitapur (Uttar

Pradesh) which should be provided rail connectivity. There is a need to upgrade the Hardoi, Sitapur, Neemsar and Sandila railway stations and the Balamau junction. A state of the art advanced Loco Pilot Training Centre, Advanced Rail

Track Training Centre or Multi Departmental Training Centre should be set up either in Hardoi or Sitapur under my parliamentary constituency. A passenger rail coach factory, Loco Factory or Diesel Multiple Unit Factory should be set up under the Misrikh Parliamentary Constituency. An Airconditioned Container

Manufacturing Factory should be set up in Misrikh. Construction of Sitapur-

Lucknow broadgauge railway line should be started at the earliest. Abida Express train which used to ply from Kanpur-Balamau-Neemsar via Shahjahanpur to Delhi should be restored. Following railway facilities should be provided in my parliamentary constituency Misrikh under district Sitapur (Uttar Pradesh).

Stoppage should be ensured to the train plying from to Chhapra at

Bilhaur. A new Shatabdi Express should be introduced between Kanpur-Varanasi.

A new Jan Shatabdi Express should be plied between Lucknow-Delhi via Bareilly. A new Jan Shatabdi Express should be introduced from Kanpur- via Jhansi-

Gwalior. A railway bridge should be constructed on Bilhaur-Kakvan route. A railway bridge should be constructed at Sandila over the Beniganj route on

Lucknow-Hardoi track. There is a need to beautify the Misrikh railway station.

There is a need for doubling of the Kanpur-Orai-Jhansi railway route. There is a need for gauge conversion of Lucknow-Sitapur-Mailani-Pilibhit-Bareilly railway route. There is a need to electrify Kanpur-Orai-Jhansi railway route. There is a need to lay a new railway line from Sitapur to Nanpara and between Balaman-

Kannauj. There is a need to extend the Shatabdi Express plying from Delhi to

Kanpur upto Lucknow. There is a need to provide stoppage to train no.5037 up and 5038 down at Araul Makanpur Station. There is a need to man the unmanned level crossings under the Misrikh parliamentary constituency of Uttar Pradesh.

Reservation quota should be enhanced in trains plying from Sitapur, Hardoi,

Kanpur. More platforms should be constructed at Sitapur, Hardoi, Kanpur railway stations. A railway spare parts manufacturing unit should be set up in Sitapur,

Hardoi, Kanpur. The famous Naimisharanya pilgrimage center should be connected to the capital New Delhi through an Express train. A fully equipped

Railway Hospital should be established in Misrikh. A 50-bedded railway hospital should be set up in Misrikh parliamentary constituency for the welfare of railway employees. A railway workshop should be set up in Misrikh for the repair of the coaches of the goods train. Sufficient drinking water supply should be made available at railway stations under the Misrikh parliamentary constituency.

Measures should be taken to improve sanitation at all railway stations here.

*SHRI E.G. SUGAVANAM: Indian Railways is the third largest railway network in the world. It covers over 65,000 kms. operating 12,000 passenger trains and 700 freight trains every day. Most of the revenue for railways comes from freight traffic. So improving the freight traffic, strengthening of track to carry heavier loads at faster speed, laying of dedicated freight corridors is necessary. The proposal of the Railways to introduce 75 new Express Trains, 21

Passenger Trains are welcome. Safety is the primary concern for railways and traveling public. Large number of train accidents took place in the last few years.

The proposal to set up Railway Safety Authority will definitely address these concerns. The standard of cleanliness and hygiene is far below the standard. The proposal to replace open discharge toilets in trains with green toilets will help improve hygiene conditions to a great extent. Railways has proposed to upgrade

84 stations in the country as Adarsh stations. Hosur station in Tamil Nadu is not among them. Hosur station should be upgraded as an Adarsh station. The proposed introduction of Double Decker Train from Chennai-Bangalore will ease traffic congestion in this route. Tamil Nadu is far behind in getting new railway projects in the last few years. I urge upon the railway administration to consider our demands. Introduction of Izzat Scheme was widely welcomed by poorest

* Original in Tamil sections of the society. To avoid the Railways from falling into the debt trap, the passenger fares have hiked. But instead of hiking the fares at one stretch gradual hike can be considered. There is a long pending demand from the people of

Krishnagiri constituency for laying of a new railway line between Jolarpettai and

Hosur via Tirupathur-Kandili-Barugur-Orappam-Krishnagiri-Sulagiri. This project was announced in the Railway Budget in 2010. But no adequate funds were sanctioned for taking up this project. Bangalore-Nagercoil Weekly Express should be run daily. The number of trains between Dharamapuri-Morappur needs to be increased. Stoppage of Kochuveli-Yashwantpur Garibrath Express at Hosur,

Yashwantpur- Express and – Tirupati Express at Jolarpet should be considered. Coimbatore – Bangalore Inter City Express should be introduced. Bangalore-Erode Passenger via Hosur, Dharamapuri and Salem must be introduced. The frequency of Chennai-Nagercoil Weekly Express may also be increased. The Nagercoil-Mumbai Express should be diverted via Hosur and

Dharamapuri. Hosur-Erode Passenger should be introduced. The deployment of

RPF at is to be taken up immediately. The doubling and electrification of Bangalore-Salem Railway Line is pending for long. It calls for the Minister’s immediate attention.

DR. RAM CHANDRA DOME: I must start with the environment prevailing in the Indian Railways and refer the report of the hon. Anil Kakodkar

Committee. The Committee has also strongly recommended for stopping the practice of introduction of new trains without commensurate inputs to the infrastructure. The Railways’ financial situation is best known by its operating ratio. In the year 2004-2005, the operating ratio was 91 percent and in the year

2011-12, it is 95 percent. The Minister for Railways has expressed his desire that it would be contained and would come down to 85 percent in the next year’s

Budget. The fare hike that has taken place needs to be seen in the backdrop of this severe deterioration in the financial performance of the Indian Railways. The targets for the basic operations of the Railways, i.e., carrying passengers and goods traffic are not being met. Why are the freight loading targets being missed despite the economy growing at 7 to 8 percent while real GDP grew at around 7 percent in

2011-12? This shows the gross inefficiency of Railways. Clearly, the Railways is losing freight traffic to every forms of transport. The passenger traffic is not growing as per the projections. This is because of the deteriorating quality of services being provided at one hand and the lack of concern for safety and security of the Railways on the other. This is year already 55 train accidents have occurred between April to November, 2011 leading to loss of lives of 104 persons. Even this morning there was a tragic accident in Mathura section resulting in the death of 15 persons. I demand that a thorough enquiry into this should be ordered.

Adequate compensation should be provided. Regarding filing up the vacancies I would like to submit that 14,872 posts of Loco Pilots, Assistant Loco Pilots and

55,355 posts of gang man are lying vacant as on 1st April, 2011. I would like to submit that the backlog vacancies of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes which are being carried forward for a long time now should be cleared immediately to give justice to these vulnerable sections of society. Around 427 railway projects are pending and about Rs.1 lakh core are needed for those projects. Some projects have been pending for years together. The promises are now being utilized by the Railway Minister to initiate large scale privatization of the Indian Railways. The Expert Group for Modernization of Railways envisages

PPP investment in railways worth Rs.4.13 lakh crore over the next ten years. The railways are already showing negative growth in investment. So, PPP will not work and it is to sell out the Indian Railways to the private hands. So, I oppose this Railways Budget to protect our important and golden PSU of our country. I also oppose the fare hikes in the second class in the mail, express, suburban and non-suburban trains. I oppose this anti-people Railway Budget presented by this

Government.

SHRI YASHBANT LAGURI: The backward state like has been grossly neglected in this Railway Budget. The Rajdhani Express plying between

Bhubaneshwar and Delhi should be run via Keonjhargarh, Banspani, Chaibasa and

Tatanagar. Puri-Haridwar Utkal Express should be run via Jajpur, Keonjhar Road,

Keonjhargarh, Banspani and Chaibasa while linking it with its old route of

Chakradharpur. Extending some railway lines in the areas where minerals are found in abundance would help in its transportation. A new railway line is proposed from Banspani to Vimlagarh via Badweel. Survey has already been conducted. If this railway line is laid, then Mahanadi Coalfields, industrial area of

Rourkela and the iron ore reserve area of Badweel could be inter-connected.

Similarly, survey of the railway line from Keonjhar to Badampahar via ,

Udaipur has also been conducted. If this railway line is laid, then the industrial area of Rourkela and the entire mineral belt of the Keonjhar district will be directly connected with Dhamra Port and Haldia Port. Badweel and Banspani, the two centres of mineral area have no railway connectivity with each other. Hence, railway line should be laid there. The hon’ble Minister of Railways is requested to make necessary provision in this budget for the construction of these three important railway lines. The backlog in various categories of posts in the Railways should be cleared. The reserved quota in regard to the stalls and vendors should be allotted at the earliest. In the previous budget, provision was made to convert

Banspani into a multifunctional station which could not be implemented. Atleast, it should be included in the list of the model stations. Keonjhar Railway Division should be constituted in the interest of the Department and the people and

Keonjhargarh should be made its headquarters.

SHRI LAXMAN TUDU : I represent the tribal and backward of Odisha and there are no railway facilities at all till now. In the Railways

Budget 2012-13, my district has been deprived of its due share and no remarkable train project have been taken up during this current budget. I would also request to take up and execute -Gorumahishani, Badampahar-Keonjhar, to Jajpur Road via -Kaptipada-Sarat-Anandapur and Buramara to Kharagpur via (Chandua-Gopiballavpur) broad gauge line projects. In order to decongest and augment the capacity of Rupsa-Baripada-Bangriposi section of South Eastern

Railway (SER), Betnoti PH on this section must be converted into a crossing station.

Around 50 acres of railway lands are available at Baripada, sufficient budgetary allocation must be provided for construction of a second line and second platform at Baripada station. The annual total revenue income of Baripadas station is around Rs.84 lakhs. It is the main linkage between Rupsa –Bangriposi broad gauge railway section. I have made several requests to the Ministry of Railways for making the Baripada as modern full flagged railway station for the greater interest of the Railway passenger. But in the current budget about 1102 crores rupees have been allotted for redevelopment of 100 railway station, where as the name of my Baripada station is not found in the list. I would like to request to take up station in my district along with other stations from my state Odisha as Model station.

In view of the huge needs and demands of the public, two new trains i.e.

Baripada-Bhubanswar Rajya Rani SF Express (Tri –Weekly) and Badampahar-

Roukela Express /Badampahar-Ranchi Express (Tri-Weekly) may be introduced. I would like to request to extend Train No. 12891/12892 Baripada-Bhubaneshwar SF Express from Bangriposi to Puri and increase the frequency of Train No.

18007/18008 Shalimar-Baripada Simlipal Express from Tri-Weekly to daily in order to fulfill the long cherished demand of the people of my district. I thanks the

Ministry of Railways for considering the request of people for renaming Train No.

18007/18008 Shalimar Express as Simlipal Express and to rename the Train No.

12891/12892 SF Express as Kherwal Express. I strongly oppose the hike in the passenger fares in ordinary, mail and express second class.

SHRIMATI BHAVANA PATIL GAWALI: The Hon. Railway Minister has made a mention of Ma, Mati and Manush in the Budget but it seems to me that the manner in which the fare has been hiked, the common man has been neglected.

The common man will have to bear the burden. The Hon. Minister has presented a

Budget of RS.60,100 crore. He has kept safety, strengthening, modernization and efficiently on priority. Already the Railways is facing financial crunch. I would like to know from the hon. Minster as to how all these things are going to be achieved. The Hon. Minister in his speech has announced that in the year 2012-13 around one lakh personnel would be appointed. Such type of announcements are made many a times but are not implemented. Often, we raise the issue of

\cleanliness. The Railway stations are so much untidy that it is very difficult for anyone to stand there. Can the Railway Ministry make the Railway like that of the

Metro? Cotton is grown at a large scale in Vidarbha. Keeping it in view the gauge conversion should be undertaken in this region. I, urge to increase the frequency of some trains. The Hyderabad to Ajmer bi-weekly train should be run throughout the week. Nanded to Shriganganagar train runs once in a week. It should be run on daily basis. Likewise, Sikanderabad-Akola Intercity Express Train should be extended upto Khandwa. Marathwada and Vidarbha both are backward areas, a direct train for Mumbai should be introduced from these places. I also urge that a train from Akola to Tirupati via Washim-Hingoli should be introduced. There is a place namely Devra in Washim, the people there have been demanding an R.O.B. there for the last 5-6 years. There is heavy traffic congestion at Pusad-Washim.

So an ROB is required there. The Wardha-Yavatmal-Nanded project was sanctioned in the year 2007-2008. Four years have elapsed but the work there is going at a snail’s pace. This project should be declared a National Project.

Likewise, the Akola-Khandwa railway line has been sanctioned but the work on it is going on at a slow pace.

SHRI A.K.S. VIJAYAN : The gauge conversion of Thiruvarur-

Thiruthuraipoondi-Pattukottai segment of Thiruvarur-Karaikudi metre gauge line has been left out in the budget, 2012-13. I had made several representations to convert this meter gauge segment into broad gauge. On Thiruvarur-

Thruthuraipoondi-Pattukottai lies the famous 800 years’ old Dargah at Muthupttai, which attracts pilgrims from all over the country. Moreover, this area is one of the salt producing areas of the country. I would also like to inform that I have raised this issue in the Parliament on several occasions during the last 10 years but nothing has been done yet in this regard. More shockingly, I am given to understand that the Railways are going to take up the work of Karaikudi- pattukottai line first, which is gross injustice to the people of my Parliamentary

Constituency. In this regard, I would also like to mention here that I am ready to give one year MPLADS fund of Rs.5 crore for taking up Thiruvarur-

Thiruthuraipoondi-Pattukottai gauge conversion project, if the railway Ministry is facing any financial crunch in taking up this projcct. Thiruvarur-Muthupettai

(Approx 40 Kms) Broad gauge Line project should also be taken up immediately as the people of these areas are facing lots of difficulties due to non-availability of rail transport on this line. There is a place called Akkarapettai situated between

Nagapattinam and Nagore. The people of these areas are facing great difficulties in crossing this Akkarapttai due to non-availability of an ROB. I request the

Minister of Railways that an ROB should be constructed in Akkarapettai.

At present there is no direct train connectivity between Nagore and Delhi.

Lots of people from visits the tourists places of my constituency very frequently and the people of these places have to visit North India in search of jobs and other purposes. If a direct train between Nagore and Delhi is introduced early, it will be of great help and convenient to the people of these areas and to the people of North India who are visiting the above mentioned tourist places. I also request the Hon’ble Minister to issue orders for stoppage of Kamban Express (Train No.

16176/16175) at Mambalam, Chennai for a minute so that the people can be saved from paying huge sums to the taxis or auto-rickshaws. The southern railways may b suitably instructed to attach more number of coaches in the existing trains running between Tirunelveli and Chennai, and Chennai and Trichy and

Chennai. At least two more long distance trains may be introduced to catch up with the demand.

SHRI P. KUMAR: Railway is a significant mode of transport for poor people and for majority of goods. Therefore, it is very important for the

Government to view the concern of common people while preparing the Railway

Budget. As far as new announcements for Tiruchirapalli constituency is concerned, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for the introduction of new line survey between Thanjavur-Pudukottai via Gandarvakkottai. Thiruverumbur railway station was also selected for upgradation as Adarsh Station in my constituency. I request that Srirangam and Pudukkotai stations in my constituency should also be also be selected for upgradation. I thank the hon. Minister for announcing new daily express train between Tiruchirapppalli-Tirunelveli Intercity

Express via Madurai and Virudunagar. But the longstanding demand of introducing express trains or super fast trains from Trichy to Kanyakumari,

Pudukkottai to Chennai and a direct train from Tiruchirappalli to Bangalore have not fulfilled. The Rock Fort Express should run on its original line between

Tiruchirappalli to Chennai. I request to include Tiruchirappalli for Duranto

Service. Railway Over Bridges should be constructed at Srirangam Railway Line, the Railway gate in-between Tiruchi and Pudukkottai, NH-210 near Rasa Vayal level-crossing and one in Tiruchirappalli City near Marin Theatre on priority basis.

For the ongoing doubling project from Villupuram to Dindigul, a meagre amount of Rs.60 crore is allocated in the present Budget. I request the Government to allocate more funds in order to complete the doubling project at the earliest. The

Golden Rock Railway Workshop and 3200 staff quarters are in 225 acres at

Golden Rock, Tiruchirappalli. Nearly 70 percent of the employees staff quarters are demolished and the said land is lying vacant. I urge upon the Railway Ministry to consider the inception of another Railway Coach Factory at Golden Rock,

Tiruchirappalli. Many projects in Tamil Nadu are moving at a snail’s pace and launguishing for want of funds. There is a shortage of staff at Karur Railway

Station. I would like to request the hon. Railway Minister to increase the staff there immediately. A/c coaches and Sleeper coaches should be increased in the

Mangalore Express. This Budget failed to concentrate many of the long pending demands on South Railways region. Southern Region is significantly contributing a major share for the revenue of Railways. Therefore, it is pertinent to give more importance for projects under Southern Railways.

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE: The priority of entire Rail Budget is safety.

In the growth story of India, the Railways have substantially not been able to grow at the speed of the rest of the infrastructure in our country has grown. The real reason why the Railways has not been able to achieve this is purely because of paucity of funds. The Sam Pitroda as well as Kakodkar Committees Reports said that investment requirement of the entire Railways is Rs.14 lakh crore. We are nowhere near this in this Budget. A lot of controversy has been there over the tariff issue. This House needs to deliberate whether a Railway Tariff Regulatory

Authority is the final solution for our Railways. I come from, where really

Railways is used by millions of people day in and day out for work and everybody is willing to pay a little more there provided the services of Railways are improved.

If we increase the fares or freight for safety, no consumer will object because safety is really critical. The kind of rail accidents that have been happening in the country, we really need to address this issue. I am not sure if the Railway Tariff

Regulatory Authority is the only solution. But if there is an independent authority which is non-political, the things will become a little easier. If the sense of the whole House agrees to something like this, we really need to consider. Otherwise, our Railways will probably decay and die in a few years to come. We need an

Indian Railway Safety Authority as well as a Railway Research and Development

Council on an urgent basis. Railway is one of the most major transport options.

So, we need to improve our tracks and bridges, signaling systems, anti-collision technology etc. Anti-collision technology is used worldwide today and trains are getting greener. Railways is using diesel in a big way and using bigger and heavier machine. So we should use modern technology for improving our trains with more bogies and use the technology for reducing the use of diesel and coal. If the Railways can improve their systems and can give more bogies especially for transporting cotton, vegetables and fruits, our farmers will definitely get some more money and good remunerative prices. This year’s Railway Budget is an inclusive Budget which talks about differently abled people. But the Railways needs to expand their role and their view of looking at differently abled people. A

Logistics Corporation is extremely important for the Railways because they make a lot of profits in freight, but the people who work in freight wing are the biggest sufferers in this entire Railway family. The Railways has to seriously consider and include these people, who come under the unorganized sector, into their family. I welcome the recruitment of more staff in the Railways. The Railways is going to recruit one lakh more people into the Railways. We hope that people of every

State will get a chance to work in the Railway Ministry. There are 487 projects worth Rs.1 lakh crore are pending which are committed in the previous various

Budgets. I urge for a clean White Paper in this regard.

The Rail Mantralaya has made a lot of good interventions in Mumbai. But whenever there is an accident in Mumbai, the Railway Police say it is not our job and the Mumbai Police says that it is not our job because it happened on the

Railway track. So, those bodies lie unattended and unidentified for days. I think we need to have a clear policy on this issue. There are requirements of

Ambulances at every station in Mumbai. Pune has really got a raw deal in this

Budget. I urge the hon. Minister to look at Pune-Mumbai and Nasik to make it into a Golden Triangle. I have demanded for several trains like Daund-Pune

Shuttle, Lonawala-Pune-Daund local service, electrification of Pune-Daund track, extending the Pragati Express up to Baramati. We are also looking for an RUB at

Kurkumbh. Pune station today is completely congested, so if the Ministry can extend some of that load to Daund, it will help that city even in the economics of that city. We need some seats blocked for all our people form Sindhudurga area and the entire Konkan belt in Mumbai-Konkan Railway. I welcome the proposal to connect Shirdi-Pandharpur and Amritsar--Nanded. Nagar-Beed-Parli is a plan of Rs.462 crore and 261 kilometer route has been approved in 2008 but the work has still not started. Inauguration of the Wardha-Yawatmal-Nanded project has done but there is no progress in it. Developing Lonand station will help the newly industrialized towns like Shirwal, , Lonand and Phaltan.

Connecting Konkan to Kolhapur, Sindhudurga and Ratnagiri is also a commitment made which has not been completed. Some rail projects are mentioned in various budgets but we still do not see any of these converting into a reality. I understand that paucity of money is definitely a big challenge in front of the Ministry. So, I urge upon the hon. Finance Minister and the hon. Prime Minister to give a bigger

Budget to Railways which is a lifeline for an average commuter in our country.

SHRI ADHI SANKAR : The survey on laying of new railway line between

Kallakuruchi and Chinnasalem had been completed in 2005but no work has been started yet. I request the Minister of Railways to start first Thiruvarur- Thiruthuraipoondi-pattukottai line instead of the present proposal of starting first the Karaikudi-Pattukottai gauge conversion work.

At present Kamban Express which is running between Nagore and Chennai

Egmore is not having a stoppage at Mambalam, Chennai. If this train stops at

Mambalam for a minute, it will be of great help to the people carrying more luggages. While considering modernization and going in for Unit-2 of ICF, the

Railway may also consider setting up Metro Coaches Production Centre. Southern

Railways may be suitably instructed to attach more number of coaches in the existing trains running between Tirunelveli and Chennai, Madurai and Chennai and

Trichy and Chennai. I urge upon the Railway Minister to introduce sub-urban rail service between Combatore and Erode, Vellore and Arakkonam, Madurai and

Dindigul, Trichy and Thanjavur and Trichy and Dindigul, Salem and Erode.

*DR. N. SIVA PRASAD: Andhra Pradesh is the crown of UPA

Government but this Government is fooling us through Rail Budget. If we compare our country with other countries, we are way behind them in laying new lines, electrification and doubling of Railway lines and in introduction of new trains. Around 40% of train accidents happen due to unmanned level crossings, I request Railways to take up responsibility and ensure adequate safety measure to minimize number of accidents. Due to inadequate funds allocated to Andhra

Pradesh, the projects which commenced around 25 years ago are yet to be

* Original in Telugu completed. The State of Andhra Pradesh is meted out injustice. Issues related to modernization and expansion of Railway lines, re-organization of safety system and Railways bridges which are in dilapidated situation, are not addressed to.

There was a proposal to merge Vishakhapatanam, Vizianagaram and Srikakulam districts in South Central Railway, but this is yet to be materialized. The proposal to provide facilities of International Standards to Secunderabad and Tirupati stations is also unattended. Adarsh stations, are in cold storage. The works of

Medical college, Nursing college and Sports academy are in slow pace. There are no new industries that are being set up in our state. Even the work of Rail Coach

Factory which was proposed three years ago in Kazipet, is stand still and is neglected. The State Government expected Rs. 750 crores for varius projects, but not a single rupee was allocted in this Budget. We asked for 33 new trains, but we are provided with only two daily trains and five weekly trains. The manufactured wagons are being taken away by other states because of which South Central

Railway could not operate around 100 special trains. Additional bogies could not be attached to 600 trains which are running presently. Bigger states have 38 kms of Railway line per every 1000 kms, whereas, in our state it is only 18 kms per

1000 kms. Though we have minerals but we don’t have railway network to realize this potential. There is Ekambarakuppam railway station in Nagari. The level of platform is so low that while de boarding passengers fall on each other on platform. Similarly, it is very difficult to board a train from this station. Dravida Universtiy in Kuppam serves as an education hub, but no express train stops here.

Hence, there is a need to provide halt for Yeshwantpur-Hawarh Express therein.

The town may be bifurcated and RUB may be provided, which would reduce number of accidents. There is a need for push-pull train in my constituency. There is a need for train from Chennai to Chittoor. We have pilgrim centres, hence there is a need for a train from Chennai to Shirdi. There are three Railway crossings between Poothalapattu and Chittoor where several accidents happen, which is on

NH-218. Hence, I request for Rail Over Bridges at these places. You proposed to upgrade Tirupati station to International Standards, but there is no adequate land available there. Instead, I request you to consider Chandragiri which is very near to Tirupati. There was a proposal to set up hospital in Paakala and Railways has

200 acres of land in Paakala so they may consider setting up Rail Coach Factory or some other factory. I request you to revive Mukthirvala Railway station. You sanctioned a new line of 151 km between Bhadrachalam and Kovvur with Rs. 938 crores estimate. I request you to release these funds and lay foundation stone for this line at the earliest.

SHRI ANANDRO ADSUL : Train from Amravati to Pune should be made a daily train. It should be run via Manmad. The above railway line passes through agriculturally rich and the best irrigated area of Maharashtra. The farmers and businessmen have to face hardship and the development activities suffer in this area due to absence of broad gauge rail line in this area. After 63 years of Independence, these rail lines are owned by the foreign company. Hon’ble

President of India has also desired expeditious completion of Amravati –Narkhed new broad gauge line and conversion of Achalpur-Murtizapur narrow gauge railway line into broad gauge.

SHRI SANJAY SINGH CHAUHAN : I would like to congratulate the

Hon. Minister of Railways for having given a number of things for the western

Uttar Pradesh. I would, further, request him to complete the rest of the pending works pertaining to the Western Uttar Pradesh at the earliest. But, injustice has been done with an existing railway line that leads to Shahdra to Saharanpur. This rail line is known as a meter gauge rail line. My submission from the Hon.

Minister of Railways is to kindly include this rail line when he considers converting rest of the lines into a broad gauge lines, or during the course of implementation of doubling and electrification of the rest of the pending projects.

It is also requested to kindly complete the rest of the rail lines from Hastinapur to

Bijnour. I also request him to kindly run the new Rajyarani express from

Muzaffarnagar and also include Bijnour and Chandpur railway stations as a model railway stations. The people of my area will definitely be benefited, if a new train is introduced from Bijour to Mumbai. The train which touch Delhi criss-cross

Bijnour during the night. If the Minister of Railways reverses this position of the trains, it will definitely provide lots of benefits to the people of this area. I also request the Hon. Minister to kindly open a reservation ticket counter at the other side of the Muzzafarnagar railway station which will give added advantage to the people of this area.

A number of colleagues in this House has stressed upon the fact that the fare so hiked must be rolled back. Taking the stock of pitiable conditions prevailing in the railways, it seems that it will be a onerous task for the railways to provide even basic civic or other amenities in the absence of any such hike. Today, everybody is oblivious of the prevailing situations in the country. What is the percentage of the poor people which this Government keeps on referring time and again travels by the trains? Today, everybody who travels with the railways needs good quality of services and better securities in the railways. We also know that nobody raises any eyebrows to decrease the fare of metro trains. I, therefore, request the

Government, Opposition and our hon. colleagues with folded hand that they should stick to truth whatever they say in the Parliament. So far the matter pertains to roll back is concerned then I do not know what are the things that have to be rolled back and how far we will go to provide subsidies? Railway is our lifeline and is also a part of our culture. I, therefore, request the Government not to put this railway on the loose ground. This Government should do its best endeavour to strengthen our life line i.e. railways. I, therefore, request the Hon. Prime Minster,

Hon. Finance Minister and with his entire Cabinet colleagues to provide all that they could do to railways. I also request them to hand over all the money so recovered or seized, which has been acquired by corrupt means. This will definitely boost the railways which will ultimately develop the country.

SHRI SURENDRA SINGH NAGAR : There are four or five villages adjacent to Futa Atta unmanned railway crossing near Bulandshahar in my parliamentary constituency where accidents frequently occur. Necessary actions should be taken to man this railway crossing and provide adequate compensation to family of deceased and persons injured in those accidents. The proposed railway overbridge at Khurja railway station should be constructed on priority basis. Necessary steps should be taken to deploy special railway police in ladies coaches in trains plying on Delhi-Aligarh route in view of increasing number of women passengers. Basic amenities should be provided on Khurja junction and railway employees should be deployed on all the Ticket Booking Counters set up there.

Direct rail link should be provided from Bulandshar to Delhi or Chola railway station which is just 8 km away from Bulandshahar on Delhi- rail line should be upgraded and named as Chola-Bulandshahar and all the express trains should be given stoppage there. In view of the population of Noida and

Greater Noida, at least two railway reservation counter should be set up here. All the express trains including Shatabdi Express should be given stoppages at Dadri and Dankaur railway stations. Puri Express, Neelanchal Express, North-East

Express, Amrapali Express, Swatantrata Senani Express, Poorva Express, Delhi- Ajamgarh Express and should be given stoppage at Khurja junction. Reservation counter for and Kalindi Express at

Khurja junction should be restored. Khurja junction should be included in ‘Trains at a glance’.

A ladies special train should be introduced from Khurja to Delhi on daily basis. A new EMU train should be introduced from Aligarh to Delhi and RPF should be deployed in ladies coaches for their safety.

*SHRI P. LINGAM: The investment that would be infused into the

Railways for the 12th Five Year Plan has been indicated to be Rs. 7.35 lakh crore which is a mere 1.92 crore more than 11th Five Year Plan. This is nothing in the wake of the inflation and its pressure on our economy and the devaluation of money. Railways provide a vital communication link to the length and breadth of the country. Only Rs. 16,842 crore have been earmarked for safety in the 12th Five

Year Plan. The revenue from the passenger fare hike announced in this Budget is about Rs. 4,000 crore. Pradhan Mantri Railway Vikas Yojana was announced in an earlier Railway Budget but we do not know what had happened to that. Our passenger train compartments and wagons are not of standard. There is no standard maintenance of our Railway Stations. Almost all the infrastructure facilities with the Railways are not up to the mark. When it comes to announcing various projects and schemes, Tamil Nadu is being sidelined and ignored. Royapuram Satation

* Original in Tamil should be upgraded. Train services between Pattukkottai and Ariyalur via

Orathanadu and Thanjavur should be introduced. Level-crossing No. 502 coming up in my Tenkasi constituency is pending completion. Tenkasi-Tirunelveli and

Shencottah-Quilon gauge conversion work must be speeded up. Chennai which is like a gateway to Tamil Nadu, must link the trains from the North with various other towns and cities in Tamil Nadu. More rail transport facilities should be provided to the southern part of the country. Railways must come out of its discriminatory mindset and ensure better rail connectivity and many other projects for Tamil Nadu.

SHRI O.S. MANIAN: The State Government of Tamil Nadu have already submitted for construction of six new Railway lines but these are not included in the budget. In the present budget, the gauge conversion is sanctioned from

Karaikudi to Pattukottai instead of Tiruvarur-Karaikudi. I request the Hon’ble

Minister of Railways to bring the gauge conversion from Tiruvarur (301 km) and to allocate sufficient funds for the early completion of the Project. In order to facilitate the Air Passengers from Chennai to the different parts of the country, stoppage of all Express trains for two minutes at Tirisoolam be given opposite to

Meenambakkam Airport. All important Railway stations be computerized and provided with all basic amenities Railway line from Villupuram-Karaikal,

Dindigul-Kanyakumari be electrified. The Train running from Bangalore –Nagore

(273), Nagore- Bangalore (274) be restored at the earliest. Daily train services from Chennai Central-Jodhpur and from Madurai to Tirupati be introducted . In the last, I would like to say that necessary basic amenities be provided to MRTS

Railway Stations from Beach to Velachery at Chennai.

SHRI UMASHANKAR SINGH : A number of announcements are made in every budget. It was announced in the Rail Budget of 2009 that safety mechanism shall be installed to stop the cases of accidents. From 2009-10 to

2012-13 many accidents took place and there is no such incident in which hundreds of people are not killed. Every accident involves loss of millions of rupees including killing of people and damage to rail coaches but no safety mechanism has been installed till date. During many previous budgets announcement were made for developing 95 World Class Stations and 395 Model

Stations but that was just the announcement. But till today neither the construction work of any Model Station nor of any World Class Station has started. Even in the announcement, there is no mention of Patna Rajdhani in Bihar. Neither there is mention World of Class Station nor of Model Station in Bihar. There is not a single

Rajdhani till date from Bihar to Delhi via Kishanganj to Baruni, Chhapra,

Gorakhpur, Lucknow. A number of M.Ps, coming from this route every Saturday and Sunday, are facing much difficulty. It has been requested a number of times to attach one First A.C Coach in Vaishali Express but neither coach was attached nor

Rajdhani Express was provided. When Hon’ble Lalu Prasad Ji was Minister of

Railway, he sanctioned many projects for Bihar. Plant in Madhepura is closed even today. In any area setting up of a plant paves the way for the development of the people of that area. Work of doubling of lines is going on very slowly. The electrification work is still going on very slowly. The beautification work of the station named Jiradei, the ancestral village of the First President of India,

Deshratna Dr. Rajendra Prasad, have not been completed. People of the area has taken resort of agitations and staged Dharna and Demonstrations many times for installing his statue there. Neither beautification work completed, nor the statue was installed. I request the Hon’ble Minister that attention should be paid toward this. Maharajganj- Mashrakh rail line work was started in the year 2007-08. Even

32 kilometer rail line work could not be completed during these four years. I have requested to the Railway Board in writing to provide a Railway Station at Pateha-

Patehi village which was the native place of Great Freedom Fighter Mahamaya

Prasad Sinha and is only at a distance of 9 Kilometer from Maharajganj. Even after two years my letter has not been acknowledged and I do not know why this station ha not been set up. The Government is making tall claims for providing facilities to handicapped persons but the P.C.O. allotted to handicapped persons at many stations have not been given any extension. I demand that extension should be given to all handicapped persons. Besides, my demand for electrification and doubling of railway tracks may also be fulfilled.

SHRI N.S.V. CHITTHAN : Starting new terminal at Egmore and central station terminals will ease the congestion. So many useful projects are kept in selves for want of finance. In the last budget it was announced to introduce

Duranto Air conditioned express train between Chennai and Madurai. As the private bus operators are fleecing money, I request the Minister to flag of the train without delay.

New express trains from Palani to Chennai and passenger train from Palani to Rameshwaram should be introduced. I request the Hon’ble Minster to allot more funds for the early completion of Madurai-Bodinayakkanur line, Madurai-

Rameswaram line, Villupuram and Dindigul line, Chengalpattu and Villupuram line and Madurai – Tuticorin line. The Railway line between Dindigul-Kumul via

Bondinayakkanur was surveyed and put under the list of new line surveys to be taken up during 2012-13. This new survey should be taken without delay for early execution.

*SHRI N. CHELUVARAYA SWAMY: Karnataka has always been neglected by the Indian Railways. If the Indian Railways really intend to help the people of Karnataka, then it would provide adequate funds to complete the existing

Railway projects that have been pending for years and decades. I would also suggest giving top priority to introduce inter-city trains in Karnataka and neighbouring States. It would help in improving employment, business, education and other opportunities. There is a need to bring reforms in the Railway

Department. I urge upon the Railway authority to take steps to implement the

* Original in Kannada recommendations of the Sam Pitorda Committee. There should be a Centralized

Controlling System at Rail Bhawan, in New Delhi. So, it would control the entire railway network of the country. I would like to mention that the number of rail passengers is considerably increasing every year. Accordingly, the demand for railway infrastructure, new railway lines, new train is also on the rise.

Indian Railways should take necessary steps to introduce modern communication technologies to have uninterrupted communication between control room and train drivers and other agencies concerned so that the accidents and crimes can be checked. It is really a matter of great concern that most of the trains are not maintaining their scheduled timings. It is causing great difficulties for passengers. It is a serious issue. Therefore, I hope Railways would take steps in this regard without further delay. I would like to impress upon the Indian

Railways to pay necessary attention on cleanliness and providing toilets and pure drinking water facilities both in trains and at railway stations. I request the Union

Minister for Railways to allocate adequate funds to complete the ongoing projects in Karnataka. Since there is a huge traffic on the Bengalure-Mysore railway line priority should be given to complete the project within this year itself. I request the Government to provide rail-connectivity to various cities and towns of

Karnataka by introducing more inter-city trains from Bengaluru. Electrification and doubling of major railway lines should also be taken up in this Budget. Hon.

Railway Minister should also take note of the need of the railway infrastructure of Bengaluru and other cities and towns of Karnatka and allocate sufficient funds for developing railway infrastructure.

SHRI P.R. NATARAJAN : The Coimbatore region is the highest revenue getter with Rs.122 crores to its credit in the Southern Railway sector. Even then justice is not meted out to the people of Coimbatore for their just demands pending for long time such as introduction of overnight express trains to Bangalore,

Tirvanandapuram, Rameshwaram, Mayiladuthurai re-routing of 13 pairs of trains via Coimbatore which are at present being run on the Irugur-Podanur sections, speedy completion of the Coimbatore-Dindigul gauge conversion, additional train service to Chennai etc. The Railway Ministry continues to neglect this region and tests the patience of the people for a long time. Therefore, it is requested that the

Southern railway and railway board may be prevailed upon to closely concentrate on the immediate re-routing of 13 pairs of trains via Coimbatore without further loss of time.

*SHRI PRASANTA KUMAR MAJUMADAR: I demand that Kolkata-

Balurghat Express which runs thrice a week should run daily. The Gaur Express should be extended upto Balurghat. A new train from Balurghat to Kolkata in the evening should be introduced. Railway safety and security of the passengers must be addressed seriously. Railway safety must be separated from the Railways as a whole. The cost of fuel has a direct impact on the costs of railway tickets.

* Original in Bengali Therefore the fuel component should be dissociated from ticketing. Railway fares have increased in three stages- first, the freight charges have been raised; second the passenger fares have been hiked; thirdly, the service taxes have been increased.

As a result there is excessive pressure on the common people. Thus the hiked fares should be rolled back for the benefit of the passengers. Only the fares of AC trains should be increased as the passengers who travel in air-conditioned coaches can afford to pay more. At present, about 470 projects are lying unfinished. These must be taken up and complete by the Ministry. Delays in train schedule have become very common and most of the trains do not reach the destination in time.

There is absolutely nothing in the name of passenger amenities in the coaches. The toilets are not Clean, water is not adequately available, seating arrangements are extremely poor and food is terrible. There is no electricity or light on the platforms. Hon’ble Railway minister must pay proper attention to these problems. Electrification work of the stretch from Sealdah to New Jalpaiguri is pending for a long time and must be completed. I thank the Minister for announcing that one lakh persons will be appointed in Railways.

SHRI BALKRISHNA KHANDERAO SHUKLA: This year’s Rail

Budget is pointing towards modernization but hon. Minister has not taken any new initiative to increase the internal resources of the railways. The Railway Budget is amounting to Rs.60,100 crore, out of which the 40 percent share will depend on the assistance from the Union Budget. The financial condition of railway is so fragile that it needs to be overhauled but hon. Minister could not do anything about it.

The operating ratio of the railways has gone upto 95 percent which is very dangerous and hon. Minister has admitted it in his speech. This year, the passengers and freight of railways have both come down. In both the cases, the transportation has shifted from railways to road. The increase in the fares/freight will contribute to the rapidly increasing inflation in the country which has become our national problem today. Hon. Minister of railways had sold us a golden dream that the railway would appoint more than 1 lakh people in this financial year. It seems impossible in view of the present gloomy situation in the railways. With the increase of rail fare there will be an additional financial burden on the common man which will directly contribute to their poverty because it is mostly the common man who use the railways. There was a demand for new trains in my

Parliamentary Constituency, , Gujarat to Mumbai, Delhi and Nagpur which has been rejected. The demand for some other new trains have also been neglected. I would like to draw the attention towards both these demands once again. A large section of public working in industrial and services sector in

Gujarat come from eastern UP and Bihar. Vadodara (Baroda) in Gujarat has inadequate rail connections with cities in eastern UP and Bihar. There is not even one super fast train connection so far. Long distance trains should not be used as slow passenger trains. Pantry cars may be provided in trains. 5045/5046 Okha-

Gorakhpur Train’s frequency may be increased to all seven days or at least tri- weekly. The train to be routed via Jhansi/Kanpur instead of Jhansi/Agra/Tundla.

For passengers to Gwalior, slip coaches may be attached. The speed of the train be increased to make it super fast. 9167 /Varanasi / 9165 Ahmedabad

Muzaffarpur Darbhanga Sabarmati Express may be increased to daily. Three-tier

AC coach should also be attached. These trains to be made super fast trains. Like

Sabarmati Express 9037/38 and 9039/40 Avadh Express train may be made into two portions – one portion could run to Sultanpur/Jaunpur/Varanasi/Patna/Gaya and the other to be maintained on its present route to Gorakhpur/Muzaffarpur.

9053/9054 Surat-Muzaffarpur train may be taken to Kanpur via Jhansi instead of present route of Gwalior-Agra and diverted via Gorakhpur. Its frequency to be increased to tri-weekly and it may be made super fast. 5635 Okha-Guwahati

Express may leave Okha at 7 am to reach Guwahati around 4 am. 9569 Okha-

Varanasi train may leave Okha at 6:30 am. Pairing train to be similarly scheduled.

Its frequency may be made daily. 2937/2938 (GIMB – HWH) weekly S.F.

Express train should be run via Allahabad-Varanasi-Gaya and its frequency should be increased. The Railways should manage their resources better for upgradation and modernization of Indian Railways.

SHRI NRIPENDRA NATH ROY : I belongs to Cooch Bihar. I would like to state few things about Cooch Bihar. There is a train from Cooch Bihar whose number is 3148. This train runs from Cooch Bihar to Sealdah and train number

3147 runs from Sealdah to New Cooch Bihar. The people of railway state that the food is good but this train does not have any pantry car when it runs from Cooch

Bihar to Sealdah, which takes 14 hours.

Bangladesh and Nepal are our friend nations. I demand that Geetaldah line should be started so that one can reach from Bangladesh to Kolkata in lesser time.

Hon. Minister has announced five day frequency of train New Jalpaigudi, New

Cooch Bihar intercity train. I demand it should be increased to seven days a week.

Dinatta is a sub-division. There is no train from here in the night. There is no express train from here. I demand that a train from Cooch Bihar to Bardangal should be increased upto Dinatta. Dinatta rack point should be made. A train should be run from New Cooch Bihar to North Bengal. An express train should be started from North Bengal. The number of Railway employees should be increased. The fare of AC-II tier, sleeper class and passenger trains have been increased. I demand that this should be rolled back. I support this Budget.

SHRI LALJI TANDON : Two-third population of Lucknow resides on the otherside of Gomati river known as old Lucknow. People on this side have to go to Charbag station covering a distance of 20 kilometer. A new railway terminal was proposed there, it was inaugurated and work had started there. It was a project worth Rs.80 crore and out of this, an amount of Rs.46 crore was spent on the project. There is no knowledge about it how, when and by whom this project was closed. A flyover is being constructed in North Lucknow. The work on this flyover was started when Mulayam Singhji was Chief Minister. It was sanctioned when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was Prime Minister of India. But the work on flyover is yet to be completed. In the name of resources in Railways rail fares are being increased in higher classes, on the other hand private airlines are decreasing air fares for economy class. In such a situation Railways will get no passengers and people will prefer airlines. Due to poor performance, less goods are being transported by Railways. Freight was a major source of revenue for Railways.

With increase in facilities and decrease in fares Railways can earn more revenue.

SHRI SAMEER BHUJBAL : A wagon coach factory should be set up at

Nashik and land power, water etc. should be provided for the above project. The

State Government should be given permission for development of ‘Nasik Road

Station’ on PPP and to make Odha station as Terminus. 8 trains passing through

Nasik to Mumbai should be given stoppages at Nashik. The Budget aims to introduce air-conditioned services between Churchgate and Virar and CST and

Kalyan, provide connectivity between eastern and western corridors of Mumbai city and increase connectivity between , Vashi and JNPT at Nhava Sheva.

The Budget aims to cut travel time between metros via faster trains.

SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL : Railways is the lifeline of this country.

Filling of 1.25 lakh vacancies in security category be considered. There should be a proper safety standard. Focus should be given on infrastructure and safety.

Budgetary support should be increased. Stations should be upgraded. World class stations should be constructed. Deadline should be fixed for starting production in rail coach factory at . Regional imbalances should be removed. A

Duranto train from Gorakhpur to Kolkata should be introduced. Such trains should also be introduced for Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad from Gorakpur. AC-I coach should be introduced in Vaishali Express. There should be rail connectivity from Siddarthnagar to Ayodhya. Barabanki, Gonda and Basti stations should be upgraded. Adequate allocation should be made for north east railway. The work of construction of Gomatinagar terminal and doubling of -Ayodhya line should be done in a time bound manner.

SHRI NALIN KUMAR KATEEL: The night train between

Yeshwanthpur and Kannur should be split at Mangalore and few of the coaches should be diverted to Karwar. A train from Mangalore to Bijapur should be introduced. The frequency of day train from Yeshwanthpur to Mangalore should be increased from thrice a week to daily. Mangalore railway station should be developed into a World-class railway station with international facilities. Duranto service between Bangalore and Mumbai should be provided. New passenger trains connecting Mangalore with Bijapur, , Delhi and Howrah, push-pull trains between Sakaleshpur and Subramanya Road, Mangalroe and Subramanya Road,

Dharwad and Madurai and Dharwad and Kanyakumari should be introduced.

Sanction should be given to two commuter rail projects, one around Bangalore and one between Mangalore and Subramanya. Electronic Display Board and sufficient lighting arrangements should be provided. It is necessary to provide more coaches for all the trains. Intensive Check Posts should be set up to curb the ticket- less travel in unreserved segments at important stations. Hassan-Bengaluru line should be completed as early as possible. Mangalore railway division should be formed consisting Kasaragodu to Goa and Mangalore to Sakaleshpur. Mangalore station should be merged with Mysore Division. The Yashwanthpur- Kannur Train should be discontinued at Kannur from Mangalore Central Station. Project on improving secondary service facility on PPP model with the Karnataka State

Government at Subramanya Road. Introduce DEIVIU train instead of existing passenger train to Subramanya Road. The Government should take steps for speedy completion of doubling of railway line between Kankanady (Mangalore junction) and Panambur. The important tourist places should be mentioned in the

Railway Time Table Book.

SHRI TUFANI SAROJ : I heartily support the Rail Budget laid by the previous Rail Minister Shri Dinesh TrivediJi. Today the Railway is running on loans and with the grant provided by the Government. We expect to have good things such as the modernization of the railway, the toilets at the platforms and stations with cleanliness with better catering services at the Railway station. When we wish to see the Railways in a better condition then we will have to think over its source of income seriously.

At least 24-25 bogies should be attached in the express trains running with

16-18 bogies, should be increased. The rates of the advertisements that are displayed at small and big stations should be increased. Jagdispur railway crossing falls by the side of Jaunpur city and an overbridge should be constructed there.

Jaunpur city may be linked with Sultanpur rail line by constructing a bye pass near

Gaumti bridge.

A new train should be introduced from Balia to Auriyar via Jaunpur,

Jaffarabad and Janghai. The Patna-Mathura express train should be given a halt at

Jaunpur. All the unmamned level crossings in the country should be converted into manned level crossings immediately.

DR. BALIRAM : The slight increase in the fare made for the coaches mostly used by the poor people should be rolled back. There should be arrangements for the safety of passengers of the trains and they should be made available special facility.

The level of the second platform of Azamgarh station should be raised immediately and a foot over bridge should be constructed to facilitate passengers going from one platform from other. All trains that starts from Lucknow for Delhi should be provided full quota from Azamgarh. The time of the Kaffiat Express which starts at 4.30 hrs should be changed to 4.00 hrs and the timing of the train starting from this side is 7.25 hrs should be changed 4.30 hrs. The Kaffiat Express should be provided a halt of two minutes at Srai-E-Mir Railway station. An over bridge is under construction in Azamgarh which is yet to be completed. A train has been introduced from Barrackpur to Azamgarh, kindly extend it upto Kolkata. A super fast intercity express train from Balia to Lucknow via Mau,

Azamgarh, Faizabad should be introduced. The doubling of Varanasi to Allahabad rail line is going on and it should be extended upto Pratapgarh. An underground crossing should be made near Akbarpur station and Kaffiat Express should be provided with a Pantry Car, and the bed rolls being provided in this train should be thoroughly neat and clean.

SHRI RAJARAM PAL: I urge that Kanpur-Farukhabad rail route be diverted to Kanpur Central to Panki- Mandhna –Farukhabad. Mandhna to Vithur line should be converted into broad-gauge and a new train should be started and connected to Luknow - Unnao crossing the river Ganga. Rura station should be upgraded to a model station and ROB should be constructed at Rura. Kanpur-

Delhi passenger trains should be provided a halt at Roshanmau By Block Hut after constructing a new railway station there. Kanpur-Chitrakoot Inter-city express should be provided a halt at Kathara, Patara and Hamirpur Road. A level crossing should be constructed at Bhimsen station. A manned railway crossing should be constructed at Kaziganj Hasauli. All the trains should be provided stoppage at

Lalpur Purvaraya on Kanpur-Jhansi rail route.

SHRI ABDUL RAHMAN : I welcome the Railway Budget in which priority has been given to the safety and security measures. Regarding complete removal of railway crossings, I would like to ask why the level crossings are to be closed by having such a long period of five years when these kind of unfortunate accidents are getting increased every day. Steps proposed to be taken for development and modernization are appreciable but they are not adequate. Ambur

Railway station was declared to be made as a model station. But construction work on platform of this station is yet to be completed. So, Railway Ministry should concentrate on the completion of the projects. Online reservation facilities are there in different platforms including Vaniyambadi in Vellore including but adequate manpower is not available. The Vellore-Viluppuram BG line has been done so I would request the Railway Ministery to restore the old passenger train services. BG line conversion of Mayiladuthurai to Karaikudi has been completed.

The remaining portion is from Tiruvarur to Karaikudi. But instead of continuing from Tiruvarur to Karaikudi, we came to know now that from Karaikudi the job has already been proposed to start. So, I request the Railway Ministry to continue from Tiruvarur.

SHRI DILIIPKUMAR MANSUKHLAL GANDHI: Ahmadnagar

Railway station has been declared as a model station and Rs 50 crores have been allocated in the budget for Ahmadnagar- Parli rail line.

I would like to place a demand before hon’ble Minister of Railways that the following trains should have stoppage at Ahmadnagar railway station: Pune-

Gorakhpur Sampark Kranti; Pune – Lukhnow Express; Sainagar – Mumbai (The train should have stoppages at Belwandi and Sarola stations and the train must have two parcel wagons to carry fresh vegetables, fruits etc. to Mumbai); Sirdi-

Pandharpur Express be run everyday and this train should have stoppages at

Shrigondha and Rahuri.

Construction of Over bridges: Rahuri Station Pashi level crossing Gate no. 40; Aaran

Goan (Baramati- Daud – Ahmadnagar state highway); Shrigondha-Belwandi level crossing Gate no.12.

Rs. 100 to 150 crores be allocated every year for Ahmadnagar –Parli Rail Line.

Up gradation of Ahmadnagar Railway Station: A model of an old rail engine be placed at the station; A survey be conducted for Ahmadnagar – Pune new rail line;

A 30 KM. Long Code line be laid between Ahmadnagar to Pune; A shuttle service between Ahmadnagar -Pune be introduced at the earliest.

SHRI ANTO ANTONY : I congratulate the Government for introducing a progressive and realistic railway budget. It is positive and reformist and forward looking. An independent railway tariff regulatory authority should be established, for the development and infrastructure building of Railways. A More far-reaching idea is to establish dynamic fares that will have a fuel adjustment component (FAC). The FAC will insulate the railways' finances from the ruinous effects of rising fuel prices. Both ideas are ahead of their times. Dedicated Freight

Corridor is the most important project needing to be completed on a highest priority. Private participation will be helpful to raise financial resources for the modernization of railway stations. SHRI SYED SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN: I request that Narayanpur,

Ghogha, Shiv Narayanpur and Nath Nagar stations in my parliamentary constituency Bhagalpur should also be declared as model stations. There are two railway lines in Bhagalpur, one rail line is on. Jamalpur Hawrah Route which is in

Bhagalpur city; second rail line is Katihar Barauni which goes through Nogachhiya of Bhagalpur. None of the trains on this route have stoppage point at Naugachhia.

There used to be Railway Loco Shed in Thana Bihpur which has been now left vacant since long. There are railway quarters also in that campus which are vacant presently. I request you that this campus should be developed as a hub of central railway. Ajmer Bhagalpur weekly train should be renamed as Shehbajia-Garib-

Nawaj express. The Express should be run on daily basis. The 2335-2336

Bhagalpur-Lokmanya Tilak Express should also be run on daily basis and a pantry car and additional A.C. coach attached to it. 5203-5204 Lucknow-Barauni should be extended to Bhagalpur. The Patna-Pune Express (12140-12150) should also be extended to Bhagalpur. Providing stoppage of the Hate Bazar Express (13163-

13164) and the Tata Link Express (18181-18282) at the Narayan station.

Vikramshila Express earlier used to originate from the New Delhi and presently it originates from the Anand Vihar Station. This train should again originate from

New Delhi.

SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH : This is 81st Railway Budget. The then

Railway Minister stated that he has brought back Railways from ICU. Two committees constituted by the formers Minister of Railways have mentioned that

Railways is on the verge of bankruptcy. Who is responsible for this miserable situation. A provision for only 1000 crore rupees has been made to provide better facilities to the passengers. Last year 1000 km long new rail lines were proposed to be laid, but even 30 percent target could not be achieved. How will the funds be arranged for the modernization of the Railways. It can be observed that the works related to the modernization of railways, infrastructure and replacement of unmanned railway crossings will remain incomplete due to paucity of money.

Committee has recommended that the old rail lines should not be overburdened, but the Government did not take note of it and has neither reduced the number of trains running on these tracks nor their frequency. Kakodkar Committee has stated that an amount of 8 lakh crore rupees is required for the modernization of Railways during the next plan period i.e. 2012 to 2017. Indian Railways can generate only 2 lakh crore on its own. The roadmap has not been prepared for the arrangement of remaining amount. The schemes to install electric and diesel factories at

Madhepura and Madhura are lying in the files for the last 100 years and Vision

2020 outlined by the ex-Railway Minister Kumari Mamata Banerjee is also lying unnoticed. Railway Minister has announced 820 new things in his budget. One of the hon. Members was saying that ours is a welfare state . The poor people are already disturbed due to price rise and if the railway hikes its fares, it will certainly add to their pains. Delhi Ring Railway Service is not being utilized by even 15 lakh passengers in a year whereas 5 lakh passengers were expected every day. 21 stations are available but not even a single station is connected with approach road and security arrangement is also not available. The Budget has neglected the required upgradation of New Delhi Railway Station. The project to connect Nepal and North Bihar is still pending. A number of projects worth 52 thousand crores of rupees are still pending in Bihar. There are four railway stations in my constituency, Motihari, surroundings of which are quite filthy. The rail roads are in dilapidated condition. Through you, I request the Ministry that at least minor problems be solved.

SHRI RAJENDRASINH RANA: First of all I would like to say thank you for considering and providing a long route train, extending Ahmedabad-Asansol train upto Bhavnagar. The most prioritized and required need of the people of

Bhavnagar is the increased number of Passenger Coaches in BANDRA TRAIN.

The only train connecting Bhavnagar with Mumbai is a Bandra Train, 24x7 this is the train which is running with a highest income for Railways as passengers preferred Bandra Train to & fro. A daily train between Bhavnagar to Surat is the need of an hour. It should be started immediately. I would like to demand on behalf of the people of my constituency, to allot a special Holiday Train to Bhavnagar without further delay.

KUMARI MEENAKSHI NATARAJAN : Hon’ble Chairman Sir, I rise to support the Railway Budget. I welcome the provisions of Railway Budget. I welcome ‘Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana’ proposed in Railway Budget which connects remote areas of the country and I specially thank the Ministry of

Railways to forward the Neemach Railway Line to Planning Commission. I also thank the Ministry to include survey of Mandsaur Pratapgarh Railway Line. I want that graduate level programme of Rail Technology and Rail Management should be initiated in IIT and IIM as recommended by the Sam Pitroda Committee. I feel that tenure of DRM and GM should be reconsidered and amended. Unless there is de-centralization of different focused areas like control, signalling and traffic, the system will not work properly. Accountability of each person involved in different operations should be fixed accordingly. My other suggestion is about security.

There should be zero tolerance in this regard. Railway Security Authority should be strengthened. There is need to strengthen research, design and standard organization and prepare a data in this regard. We can follow the positive train control system regarding control command communication and signalling as adopted by the USA. Similarly, we can learn from European Train Control System to have automated train system high line capacity. Sir, I would like to give three suggestion about my parliamentary constituency. You have started Ajmer,

Ahmedabad intercity train. I would like to request that it should run at least three days in a week via Chhittod, Mandsaur, Neemach and Ratlam. I request that

Bandra-Ajmer train should be extended upto Sarai Rohilla so that my parliamentary constituency get directly connected to National Capital Delhi. If the proposed Mandsaur, Pratapgarh railway line survey also include Suasara and

Sitamau, then my entire parliamentary constituency will be directly connected to

Delhi and Mumbai. There should be Pashupati Nath Express train in the name of

Lord Pashupati Nath temple situated in my parliamentary constituency.

SHRI S. SEMMALAI: Railways is facing a serious financial crunch.

There is absolute shortage of funds for implementing already approved projects.

Even for a project of more than 100 crores, only a paltry amount of Rs. 5 or 10 crore is allotted every year. At this rate, it will take 100 years to complete the pending projects. In the Budget, there is no mentioning of modernization of tracks.

There is no focus on addressing shortage of coaches in the country. The Coach

Factory at Perambur in Chennai should be modernized. In case of an accident in a railway station, there is no response team available at present. The surplus land available with railways may be utilized commercially. As far as the passengers’ amenities are concerned, arrangements should be made to potable water in all coaches. Bedrolls should be supplied even to sleeper class passengers at a nominal rate. For the State of Tamil Nadu, there are no new projects in this rail budget. I thank the Hon’ble Minister for extending the passenger train from Egmore to

Salem and request him to operate at least some trains from Salem. Athur-

Peramballoor-Ariyalur sector project had been announced last year. For that budget allocation should be made. Weekly train from Bangalore to Nagerkoil may be operated daily. In the Salem-Karur route an additional manned gate may be provided for the convenience of the people. Work of conversion of bridge No.-244 with RCC box near Salem junction should be started. In the Salem-Virudhachalam route near Deviakurichi, the existing railway gate may be restored in the same place without changing the place. Foot over bridge may kindly be provided at

Omalur Railway Station. Salem-Karur passenger train should be operate as early as possible.

SHRIMATI MEENA SINGH : I request the Minister of Railways to give stoppage of train No. 2791, 2792 Patna-Sikandrabad, 2369 and 2370 Howrah-

Haridwar, 2367 and 2368 Vikramshila, 2327 and 2328 Upasana, train no. 2355-

2356 Archana Express, train no. 9313-9314 Patna-Indore, train no. 2315-2316

Ananya (Siyaldah-Ajmer) at Arrah in view of the demand of businessmen, students and comman rail passengers. Train no. 12569-12570 Garib Rath which runs from

Anand Vihar to Jainagar twice a week don’t have a stoppage at Bihiya. This train as well as train no. 12391-12392 Shramjivi Express should be given a stoppage at

Bihiya. Babu Kunwar Singh was a great freedom fighter of this country. Arrah should be converted into a model railway station in his honour. An overbridge should be constructed on Arrah Eastern Gumti. A train should be introduced from

Patna to Delhi via Arrah-Sasaram. Stations and halts which existed at the time of

Martin Railway should be constructed on Arrah-Sasaram rail section.

SHRI M.B. RAJESH : 75 new express trains have been announced in the budget and Kerala has got only one train. I request to complete Palakkad- Pollachi gauge conversion work in a time bound manner. A concrete and specific assurance should be given that the Palakkad Coach Factory project will be completed in a time bound manner. A new Railway Zone with its headquarter in Kerala should be set up. At least one new train between New Delhi and Thiruvananthapuram, one between Kerala and Mumbai and one Between Hyderabad and Kerala may be started. Hundreds of platforms vendors have been thrown out of employment mercilessly. I request to look into this issue so that it may be addressed urgently.

SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI : So far as budget is concerned, under the UPA

Government since 2004, it has been converted into a political tool and for the first time in the history of independent India that like derailment of train, a Rail Budget has been derailed. The PM has said that it is a forward-looking Budget but a person who has presented this forward looking Budget has been disgracefully sent out. For the first time, we are discussing the Budget and we do not know what the

Government is going to say on the Budget because the Minister is not in a position to reply because of political mis-management. In the Eleventh Plan, the total expenditure outlay was Rs.2,33,289 crore. The outcome Budget shows that the actual expenditure could be Rs.1,92,291 crore. It is a shortfall of almost Rs.5 crore. It is not clear why Government could not spend Rs.5 lakh in the last five years. The power of the GMs have been withdrawn because they want that less money should be spent as they do not have funds to pay the salary of the Railway employees. Sam Pitroda Committee has recommended for Rs.3,96,000/- crore for modernization and the Kakodkar Committee has recommended Rs.1,00,000 crore for safety projects. But if budgetary support is not there, the Government is going to put the safety of the passengers at stake. Karnataka has 14 projects sanctioned, but it is all under State cooperation. No single project is sanctioned out of total

Railway fund. The cost of the Chitradurga-Davangere project is Rs.427 crore and the allotment for this project is Rs.1 crore. If money is given in the same fashion, then it will take 400 years to complete this project. The total allocation made to

Karnataka (South Western Railway) was Rs.1,278 crore. However, in the Revised

Budget, it was reduced to Rs.888 crore. Ultimately, what was spent was only

Rs.784 crore. So there is a need to allocate more funds. When Sampark Kranti was announced, it was announced that the stoppages would be there only in that particular State. This train is called Karnataka Sampark Kranti. I urge you to kindly change the route of this Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express. I had demanded for the introduction of two more trains, one of them is between Hubli and Mumbai. The other one is train between Hubli and Gulbarga. Hubli Railway

Station is the headquarters of the South Western Railway. It was supposed to be completed by 2009-10 but it is yet to be completed.

SHRIMATI DARSHANA JARDOSH: The Railways is definitely playing a good role in improving the health of the people. Definitely maximum people assemble together at the railway platform. With a view to improving the health of the people attention must be paid towards improving the cleanliness in coaches and at the railway platforms. However, unfortunately all the promises made in the last budget for making a few stations as world class railway stations have not been fulfilled. Surat railway station was also in the list announced but filth at the Surat railway station has not reduced and cleanliness has not improved. I want to make following submissions-

Surat railway station has revenue earning of 50 lakh rupees daily and this station should be given a DRM office; no progress has been made to make Surat as world class railway station and the work must be expedited; repair work of tunnel below the railway track at Garnala, Khandbazar, Hanuman Road and Suryapur

Garnala must be done immediately; in many trains there is no EQ at Surat railway station. Therefore, EQ must be provided; like the local trains of Mumbai announcement system regarding the next railway station must be provided within the coaches in all the long distance trains and superfast trains of western railway; the number of general class coaches in trains must be increased because many people travel even in the toilets; in the industrially developed areas in my constituency like Keem, Sayan and Gothan railway stations ROBs must be constructed; the work of gauge conversion of narrow-gauge track between

Bilimora and Vaghai must be expedited; in train no. 69141-42 (Surat-Virar

MEMU) six additional coaches must be attached; Bharuch-Virar Shuttle (59010) should leave Bharuch at 3 o’clock instead of 2 o’clock because at 2 p.m. Jamnagar intercity leaves for Surat and the MEMU train from Ahmedabad also leaves for Surat; at Keem railway station stoppage must be provided to Jamnagar intercity,

Lokshakti Express, Dehradun Express and at Sayan railway station Gujarat

Express and Valsad-Dahod intercity should be given stoppage; at Uttran railway station PRS facility and a second current ticket window should be sanctioned and

FOB should be sanctioned in addition to providing stoppage of train no. 19011-12 and 19215-19216; there is no direct train for North India from Somnath.

Therefore, a direct train should be provided; in view of the large rush of passengers at Surat railway station Udhna railway station should be developed; a direct train should be introduced for from Surat; some time back the facility of travel provided to MST passengers and ticket holders by paying difference was discontinued and it must be restored; Bandra-Patna weekly express should be run daily; Taptiganga Express and Surat-Bhagalpur Express must be made daily trains from Surat in view of large number of passengers and huge waiting list; Western

Railway headquarters should be immediately setup at Ahmedabad; and Surat –

Mahuva weekly train must be made a daily train.

DR. NIRMAL KHATRI : I commend the provisions made for safety and security of trains in the rail budget. I also appreciate the constitution of two committees, the reports received from those committees and the expression of willingness to implement the recommendations made in the said reports. A separate post of a Member should be created in Railway Board with a view to providing good catering services and other facilities to the passengers. This arrangement should be made at the level of General Manager and DRM . People belonging to professional cadre not to the engineering cadre should be engaged to look after passenger amenities. Rail ministers come and go and make announcements but there is no monitoring system to ensure whether such announcements are actually implemented. The need of the hour is to stop making further announcements of new projects and instead ensure completion of the projects already announced during the previous eight to ten years. I thank you for announcing the survey for doubling of rail track along Jafrabad, Ayodhya,

Faizabad and Barabanki on public demand, sending the survey results for new rail line between Faizabad and Rae Bareilly to the Planning Commission and agreeing to construct level crossings and bridges near Acharya Narendra Dev station in

Faizabad. Two years ago it was announced that Ayodhya station would be made a multifunctional station. Now its proposed status has been reduced to that of a model station. Still, I am satisfied that it has been mentioned in the budget that work on this station would be started in the current year. There is need to start a train from Gorakhpur to Rameshwaram via Ayodhya, Faizabad and Allahabad. A new train is needed between Gorakhpur and Ajmer via Faizabad, Rudauli,

Dariabad and Lucknow. Faizabad railway station is in a dilapidated condition.

Attention needs to be paid towards the mismanagement prevalent in the parcelling system, tunnels, ticket window and the reservation counter. There is a long standing demand for construction of an overbridge next to Rudauli station on the road that branches off from the national highway towards Rudauli town. Six model stations have been announced in my constituency and Bharatkund, Billarghat,

Ramghat Halt and Malethu Kanak stations should also included amongst the said stations. Stoppages should be provided at Acharya Narendra Dev station for the

Bareilly-Varanasi Express as well as Sadbhavna and Sabarmati Express, at

Billarghat station for Janata Express, at Dariyabad-Rudauli station for Garibnawaz train, at Rudauli for Faizabad-Delhi Express, at Bharatkund-Malethu Kanak station for Sarayu Express and at Faizabad and Ayodhya for Surat-Muzaffarpur Express and Gandhidham-Kamakhya Express trains respectively.

*SHRI THOL THIRUMAAVALAVAN: I express my appreciations for your continuing with the Izzat scheme at the same cost of 25 rupees while increasing the distance covered from 100 kms from 150 kms. Tamil Nadu has not got a better deal. Proper fund allocation has not been made for various ongoing schemes. Tamil Nadu is the only state where gauge conversion work to a stretch of about thousand kms. have been kept pending for long. Kindly allocate funds and speed up the pending projects. I urge upon the Railway Minister to take necessary steps to upgrade unmanned level crossing, either as manned level crossings or as crossing with RoBs. In the Railway Budget there is no mention about the wiping out of manual scavenging. We must utilize modern technologies

* Original in Tamil in maintaining sanitation and hygiene. Only in India we find thousands of our labour class are being put to handle human waste with their hands.

The right to run the railway canteens are extended through the floating tenders. I urge upon the Railway Minister to set apart adequate reservation for the

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in getting these canteen licenses. I urge upon the present Railway Minister to re-introduce the use of mud pots to avoid harmful use of plastic. I would like to point out the announcement of new trains do not touch much of Tamil Nadu. New facilities have not been created by Railways in Tamil Nadu. There is just an announcement about a new terminal in Chennai city. I would like to urge upon the Railway Minister to make Royapuram as a railway terminal. Bhuvaneshwar Express Train must have a stoppage at

Chidambaram in my constituency. Railways are also requested to make Dhalavai

Eechangadu near Ariyalur a railway junction.

SHRI JOSEPH TOPPO: Hon. Minister of Railways has not paid any special attention towards North Eastern States in the current Rail Budget. A daily intercity train and another train has been extended upto my parliamentary constituency Tezpur. But, apart from this, no announcement has been made regarding any major project or rail service for North-Eastern States in whole of the

Rail Budget. No announcement has been made regarding introduction of any new rail service between Delhi-Guwahati, the steep rise in passenger fares is not acceptable. The heavy rise in fares will increase inflation even more. Hon. Minister of Railways had made a commitment during Rail Budget 2010 that a new

Duronto train would be introduced between Delhi and Guwahati, but no such trains has been introduced so far. The rail projects started in North Eastern States so far have either been discontinued mid way or are lagging behind the schedule. The construction work of Bogibeel Rail Bridge in is lagging much behind the schedule. Hon. Minister of Railways has committed to provide employment to fifty thousand people in the current budget also but it cannot be said how far this would be followed. The rail traffic in North-Eastern States is in the worst condition. The main reason is casual and lackadaisical approach of the

Government towards all the schemes. Even today, there is one rail line beyond

New Jalpaiguri for all eight different States in North Eastern region in the country.

Public conveniences like toilets and drinking water are highly missing at most of the stations in NE and work cloak rooms for passengers visiting from other places are almost none at most of the stations. But the concerned Minister has no programme in the current Budget to improve the said situation. The North Eastern

States are the most backward States, but the current Budget has nothing to offer for them.

SHRI NIKHIL KUMAR CHOUDHARY: Katihar junction, gateway of

North Eastern India, has not been mentioned in railways budget. It is painful to note that no southbound train is being run from Katihar junction. The junction serves the passengers from Katihar, Araria, Madhepura, Supaul and Saharsa districts. A new southbound train should be started from there. Train

No.12754/127753, Guwahati - Trivandrum Express, Guwahati –Arnakulam

Express and Guwahati –Banglore Express train should be brought to Katihar and then these trains should destined to Malda via Kuretha, Pranpur, Labha and

Kumedpur. Yaswantpur – Muzaffarpur Express train No. 15228-15227, a weekly train, should be run on 3 days in a week. There is a need to start Vaishali Express

12553/12554 and Baroni-Lucknow Express 15203/15204 from Katihar Junction.

The Railway has 111 acre vacant land at Katihar and a rail coach factory must be opened on this vacant land. It is necessary to construct a ROB on level crossing

KB-I at Goshala Chowk and KK-I at Bhagwan Chowk. Manned level crossing should be immediately constructed at Jhauwa and Meenapur halt. Alipurdwar-

Ranchi Express 15761 / 15762 should be brought to Katihar via Salmari and Sanoli and from there, the train should be run to Malda via Labhaa and Kumedpur. A pantry car should be attached in Amrapali Express 15707/15708 and Jagbani-

Anand Vihar Express 12487/12488. I thank Hon. Minister for making provisions for two additional sleepers coaches and one AC-III coach in train no. 12487/12488.

I urge upon the Minister to add five more sleeper coaches and one AC-II coach in this train. Bhandartal, Laxmipur near Kadagola railway station is an important sikh religious spot which is visited by thousands of sikh pilgrims. The stoppage of

Northeast Express, Simanchal Express (12487-12488) and Dadar Express

15646/15647 should be provided at Kadagola station. It is also needed to provide a halt at Durgapur and Haziyar. A survey to lay railway line from Tejnarayanpur-

Baluadhatti to Bhaluka Road in Katihar Zone under Northeast Frontier railways and Kursela to Bihariganj in Sonapur Zone under E.C. railway has been completed.

The project to lay these railway lines should be expedited. A road-cum-railway bridge should be constructed between Manihari and Sahebganj. A DMU train each from Katihar to NJP and Katihar to Barauni should be introduced. The stoppage of

Mahananda Express 14083/14084, 15609/15610 at Telta,

Pranpur and Sudhani stations; Radhikapur-Sialdah Express train 13145/13146 and

Balurghat-NJP Intercity Express 15763/15764 at Azamnagar Road station; Dadar

Express (via Malda Town) 12507/12508 and Lohit Express 15651/15652 at Barsoi, and Amrapali Express 15707/15708 at Semapur station should be provided.

SHRI RAM SINGH KASWAN: Hon’ble Minister of Railways have started his speech with Rail safety which is also very important. The maximum accidents have taken place on unmanned railway crossing. There is approximately

450 K.M. of Railway track in my Parliamentary Constituency where there are only

40-50 manned and unmanned Railway crossings. This problem should be solved.

The Sarai Rohilla Train No. 22481/22482 which is running twice a week it’s frequency should be increased to make it daily and it’s stoppage should be extended upto Haridwar. Rewari-Degana passenger train which is extended upto

Delhi. Jodhpur-Bandra Surya Nagri Express Train No. 12479/12480 which is running via Ratangarh should be extended upto Delhi, Train No. 54601/54602 which is running between Amritsar to Hissar via Ratangarh should be extended upto Jodhpur. Train No. 59701/ 59702 which is running from Jaipur to Hissar should be extended upto Ratangarh or Bikaner. The frequency of the Bandra

Jammu Tavi Express No. 19027 and 19028 should be increased from once in week to thrice in a week. The survey work is envisaged to be taken in this budget. The stretch of Sardar city to Sirsa and Sikar to Neem Ka Thana-Udaipurvati-Salasar via

Sujeengarh in my Parliamentary Constituency is selected for the above survey work. The total rail stretch is neglect. The work for the same should be started immediately. The stoppage for Rewari-Degana passenger Train No. 54809 and

54810 should be made at Biwad-Bhojan Station. The stoppage of Delhi Sarai

Rohilla-Bikaner Train No. 22472 and 22473 should be made at Gurgaon. Even after purchasing rail ticket a common man does not get a berth to sit respectfully is this is not a violation of Human rights. The problem of the common man is solved if the number of bogies are increased.

SHRI SHIRPAD YESSO NAIK : People from all over the country were expecting some relief from Hon’ble Minister of Railways but this rail budget has disappointed all the poor countrymen. Hon’ble Minister of Railways has increased rail fares in this budget. We are aware that money is required for the development of Railways, but increasing fares for the sleeper class is not justified. My parliamentary constituency Goa is a small State of the country but it is very important from tourism point of view. Each year more than double the population of Goa i.e. nearly thirty to forty lakh tourists visit Goa. We can literally say that

Goa’s development is development of tourism and development of tourism would mean development of Goa. I would like to urge that the Vasco-Da-Gama-Miraj-

Vasco-Da –Gama fast passenger train which used to run earlier should be started soon again. Gomantak Express which used to run between Vasco-Da-Gama to

CST Mumbai via Lodha, Pune may also be started again. Vasco-Da-Gama,

Tirupati-Secundrabad. Hyderabad Link Express train, which was discontinued in the year 1996, may be introduced again. Train number 17310/17309. Vasco-Da-

Gama Yashvantpur (Bengalur) should be run daily in place of two days in a week.

Savarde-Kusvade South Western Railways stations should be made model stations.

Train number 8048 called Vasco-Da- Gama Howrah Express, which is running four days in a week should be run on a daily basis. Train Number 7226 Bhagwati

Express should be extended upto Vasco-Da-Gama. Train No.2779 Nizamuddin

Goa Express should be linked with Haripriya Express so that Hyderabad, Tirupati bound passangers can benefit from it. A new train should be introduced from

Mudgaon to Tirupati. Old Panjim should be made the Rajdhani Station. Karmali station should be made a model station. Doubling of Konkan Railways should be done. A new railway line should be laid between Solapur to Tuljapur. Palace on wheels train should be introduced in Goa as well.

SHRI P. T. THOMAS: This Rail Budget is an important footstep to save the Indian Railway. The fare charge increase is very nominal. It can be borne even by ordinary people. My State Kerala needs more allocation for the speedy development of railway system. Angamaly Sabari rail line is not sanctioned till date. I request the Hon’ble Minister to give approval for the Angamaly-Sabari route. The work of railway station Kalady has also started. The land acquisition work up to Perumballoor is in progress. The Railway authorities should settle the dues to the land owners. I welcome the proposal of -Madurai line survey in this year budget. It will bring ‘Idukky’ in the railway map of India. The small vendors who are selling tea, coffee, vada and dosa in trains are now-a-days not allowed to sell due to the RPF Personnel. What is the justification not to allow them to sell this tea and vada in the trains. I hope Hon’ble Minister will take some positive action in this direction. The safety of the passengers is to be considered with utmost important. The protecting of the passengers specially the lady passengers to be consider more seriously.

SHRI UDAY PRATAP SINGH : I have a few demands. Most important is that a demand pertaining to electrification of -Manikpur railway line was accepted in this year. The Ministry of Railways is targeting to recruit one lakh employees this year. This is genuinely a good sign for the unemployed youth of our country. Under the Izzat Pass Scheme which was launched for the poor people in the country, the distance has been increased from 100 to 150 kilometers. Survey work is going on at the Chhindwada-Sagur railway line. This year another survey was conducted between Chhindwada to Udaipur via Jaisingh Nagar, Sagar- Khajuraho. Funds have been allocated under this budget for doubling Mumbai-

Howrah track under the Ghatpindrai, Belkhedi, Jabalpur Section. Itarsi is the biggest junction of the country and a provision of nearly Rs.1.5 crores has been kept for this station under this budget. This was a major demand of my constituency. I would like to urge that Jabalpur – New Delhi Superfast train may be renamed as Shridham Express. The name of -Jabalpur Intercity may be changed to Shri Narsingh Intercity Express. Sivani Malwa is a big station. We have the Tehsil-headquarters, sub-division here. There is a demand for a small passenger train to that place. Train number 12112-12112 passenger train may be given a stoppage there. A demand for stoppage of 11463-11464, Somnath Express at Sohagpur has also been made. A stoppage of Overnight Express has been demanded at Bankhedi and stoppage of Sanghamitra Express, 12295 – 12296 is being demanded at Gadarwara. The frequency of Jabalpur-Mumbai Garibrath has been increased. It is being run on three days in a week in place of two days. I would like to request that its frequency may be increased further. There should be allocation of budget for beautification of Piperia Station also. Kareli station which connects Bundelkhand, should be developed. Survey work of Betul, Khategoan,

Kannod, Sonkutchh, Dewas, Indore should be carried out. I would like to thank the

Ministry for establishing rail engine maintenance workshop at Vidisha.

SHRI VIRENDER KASHYAP: Railways is facing serious financial crisis and it has been derailed. The Ministry of Railways is facing difficulties in development and expansion of railway network and in protecting the interest of its lakhs of employees. There is little contribution of successive Railway Ministers in the development and expansion of railway network in hilly states. In Himachal

Pradesh, only 44 km. railway line has been laid after independence. Rail line between Dhanauli and Dehradun via Nalagarh-Bachchi-Barotiwala-Kalaamba-

Paonta Sahib should be laid. As per the survey conducted for this line, its estimated cost will be around Rs. 3745.65 crore. Provision should be made in the budget for this line. -Shimla rail line should be given status of world heritage and funds should be allocated for its beautification. Operation of rail services at

Jarbali, Solan-Bruti railway stations should be restored. Flyovers should be constructed at Sanwava and Chamba Ghat railway crossing. Beautification plans should be formulated for Kalka and Solan railway station and Bhalkhu Museum at

Shimla railway station be made more attractive. Covered platform at should be expended and some more trains should be extended to

Kalka from Ambala and Chandigarh.

SHRIMATI PUTUL KUMARI : This Rail Budget has been prepared on the basis of recommendations made by Kakodkar Committee. Sam Pitroda

Committee and Parliamentary Committee in the name of protection, strengthening, safety and modernization in the railways and passenger fares have been increased after the last eight years in the name of providing for safety. The hike in fare ranges from 24 per cent to 48 percent which has affected the salt traders the most. The goods are being transported mostly through roads and the trains are used less for transportation of goods for some time. The Minister of Railways should take note of this fact. Today, everyone wants to get more facilities and is willing to spend for those facilities. But will the railways ensure that fair hike will result in more facilities? A railway station was constructed in my parliamentary constituency Banka and an Intercity train was also introduced from Banka to

Patna. The business community of Banka have been demanding a second class,

AC coach in this train. I had also requested the railway minister and written to the

Railway board in this regard but no action has been taken so far. A washing pit is required in Banka as a train can run from a station only when there is a washing pit. We have demanded the washing pit at Banka station several times because no train can originate from there without a washing pit. But that demand has not been met. There is no drinking water and light at this railway station. Basic services and train services can not be provided there unless washing pit is constructed there.

I would like to suggest that as the distance between Banka and Bhagalpur is 40 km, so a train can be maintained at Bhagalpur and then brought to Banka. If a Garib rath is introduced from Banka, the people would be largely benefited. Three more trains namely LTT, Surat-Bhagalpur and Bhagalpur-Yashwantpur run across

Banka. All these three trains may be connected from Banka station. Lakhs of passenger come to Sultanganj in Shravan month and from there go on foot with

‘Kaanwar’. Several of them fall ill, so a hospital is required at Sultanganj railway station. I would like to say that Mandar Hill project and Deoghar-Sultanpur projects were started by former Minister of state in railways ministry but those projects are being implemented at snail’s pace. I request the minister to expedite the said projects so as to complete those projects on time. Daniyama-Shekhpura and Islampur-Natesar projects are also incomplete which also need attention of the

Government.

The discussion was not concluded.

T.K. VISWANATHAN, Secretary-General.

© 2012 BY LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT NOTE: It is the verbatim Debates of the Lok Sabha and not the Synopsis that should be considered authoritative.

English and Hindi versions of Synopsis of Debates are also available at http://loksabha.nic.in.