Railway Projects in rural and Backward Areas
	16:47 IST

Lok Saabha Most of the new line and gauge conversion projects except a few required on operational considerations are aimed to improve connectivity to backward, tribal, remote and under-developed areas of the country so as to bring about socio-economic development of the region through which the line passes. However, railways have a huge throwforward of projects requiring over Rs. 61,000 crore for completion. The funds are limited and projects are being progressed as per the availability of resources. Keeping in view the operational requirements and other considerations, the prioritization of railway projects under new line and gauge conversion was done by the Government in April 2005 in the following categories: - Category (I) – Projects where progress is more than 60 per cent and throwforward is less than Rs. 100 Crore. Category (II) – Viable / Operationally required projects. Category (III) – National Projects, Projects in Assam & North Eastern Region, Coast Sharing with State Governments, Defence funded Projects and projects covered under Public Private Partnership. Category (IV) – Other ongoing projects not covered in Categories (I, II & III). A number of initiatives have been taken to expedite completion of these ongoing projects. Ministry of Railways has also written to Chief Ministers of concerned States to consider suitable cost sharing for the ongoing new line and gauge conversion projects to the extent of 50 per cent or more. This information was given by the Minister of Railways Shri R.Velu in written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha today. AKS/HK/CK/TR