(a) whether execution of several ongoing railway projects are getting delayed resulting in
huge cost overrun;
(
(b) if so, the details of such projects and the reasons for the delay in their execution,
Zone-wise;
(c) the details of funds spent so far on the said projects; and
(d) the steps taken by the Railways to expedite the execution of these projects to check any
further cost escalation?
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ANSWER
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MINISTER OF RAILWAYS(SHRI LALU PRASAD)
(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (d) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.151 BY DR. CHINTA MOHAN
AND SHRI ABDULLAKUTTY TO BE ANSWERED IN LOK SABHA ON 26.02.2009 REGARDING DELAY IN COMPLETION OF
RAILWAY PROJECTS
(a) to (c): Railways have a huge throwforward of ongoing projects, under new lines,gauge
conversions, doublings, railway electrifications and metropolitan transport projects, with limited
availability of resources, as a result of which the projects take long time in completion.The
targets for the projects are generally fixed on yearly basis based on the availability of resources
and progress and many of the projects get completed in phases.Some of the projects where targets
had been fixed and projects would have completed in full but have been delayed are given Zone-wise
in Appendix alongwith reasons for delay and the revised targets.The main reasons for delay have
been paucity of funds, delay in land acquisition and forestry clearance, failure of contracts,
adverse law and order conditions and other market forces affecting the progress.Ongoing projects
undergo cost escalation on account of various reasons like change in the standard of construction
& technology, scope of work, inflation, etc. With the present availability of funds and the large
throwforward, it is not possible to fix and maintain many targets.
(d): Some of the steps taken to expedite implementation of ongoing projects are:-
(i) The availability of funds for the projects have increased considerably over the last few years
due to provision of funds through internal generation, additional funds for National Projects,
participation by State Governments and beneficiaries and implementation of projects by Rail Vikas
Nigam Limited through extra budgetary resources.
(ii) The contract conditions have been modified to bring in efficiency in contract management.
(iii) Empowerment of field units with delegation of powers.
(iv) Pursuing the security issues and land acquisition with the State Governments and also
environment issues upto the level of Ministry of Environment and Forests.
(v) State Governments have been requested to regularly review the projects and sort out the
pending issues.
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