Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Wednesday (July 31) informed the Lok Sabha that a survey for a new railway line between Una and Hoshiarpur was conducted. However, the project could not proceed due to low traffic projections.
Vaishnaw was responding to queries from AAP MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal, who sought details on the expansion plans for the Hoshiarpur railway track and the connection of Hoshiarpur with Una and Tanda in Himachal Pradesh.
“Railway projects are sanctioned and executed Zonal Railway wise and not State/District/City wise as Railway projects may span across State boundaries,” Vaishnaw said.
Surveys ongoing for new lines as per multiple requests
He added that surveying new railway lines in unconnected areas is an ongoing process driven by demands from state governments, central ministries, MPs, other elected officials, rail users, and the railways’ operational needs.
“Survey for new railway lines in areas which are not connected by Railway network is a continuous and ongoing process of Indian Railways and is done based on demands raised by State Governments, Ministries of Central Government, Members of Parliament, other elected representatives, organizations/rail users and Railways’ own operational requirements,” he added.
Survey sanctioned for new line between Hoshiarpur and Tanda Urmar
According to Vaishnaw, Hoshiarpur, Tanda Urmar, and Una are already part of the Indian Railways network. A survey for a new line between Hoshiarpur and Tanda Urmar (34 km) has been sanctioned for the preparation of a Detailed Project Report.
The survey for the Una-Hoshiarpur line (40 km) was completed, but the project was not advanced due to insufficient traffic projections.
“Una-Hoshiarpur new line (40 km) survey was carried out. The project could not be taken forward due to low traffic projection. Sanctioning of Railway projects is a continuous and dynamic process of Indian Railway,” Vaishnaw said.
Additionally, Vaishnaw noted that the sanctioning of railway projects is a dynamic process, influenced by factors such as profitability, connectivity, missing links, and infrastructure needs, as well as ongoing project liabilities and available funding.
“Railway Infrastructure Projects are taken up on the basis of remunerativeness, last mile connectivity, missing links and alternate routes, augmentation of congested/saturated lines socioeconomic considerations etc. depending upon liabilities of ongoing projects, overall availability of funds and competing demands,” he added.