New Delhi: Total 41 Projects including 04 New Line, 25 Gauge Conversion and 12 Doubling covering a length of 4,350 km costing ₹36,437 crore falling fully/partly in the State of Gujarat are under different stage of planning/approval/execution. Out of which 890 km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of ₹10,290 crore has been incurred up to March 2020. Minister of Railways Shri Piyush Goyal provided the information on March 19, 2021 in Rajya Sabha while replying to a question raised by RS MP Shri Parimal Nathwani.

According to the statement of the minister, average annual budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/partly in the State of Gujarat, during 2014-19 has increased to ₹3327 crore per year from ₹589 crore per year during 2009-14. Thus, an increase of 465% over the average annual budget allocation of 2009-14. Budget allotment for these projects for financial year 2019-20 was ₹4803 crore, which is 716% more than average annual budget outlay during 2009-14 (₹589 crore/year). Budget allocation (Proposed) for these projects has further increased to ₹4484 crore in financial year 2021-22, which is, 661% more than average of annual budget outlay during 2009-14.

Shri Nathwani wanted to know about the new railway projects sanctioned for Gujarat in the last three years along with the estimated costs, status of implementation and the schedule of completion.

The minister also said that during last 3 years (2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21), 4 double line and 16 Railway Electrification projects falling partly/fully in Gujarat have been included in budget subject to requisite approvals.

During 2014-19, 504 Km project length (110 Km New Line, 115 Km Gauge Conversion and 279 km Doubling) falling fully/partly in Gujarat have been commissioned. In 2019-20, 132 km length (58 km Gauge Conversion and 74 km Doubling) have been commissioned, as per the statement of the minister.