GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2638

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.01.2018

EMPTY SEATS IN MUMBAI-AHMEDABAD-MUMBAI TRAINS 2638. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:

• whether nearly 40 percent of seats in trains of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Mumbai route go empty;

• if so, the details thereof including the percentage of seats in trains on this route which have gone empty since January, 2017;

• whether a study was undertaken about the economic feasibility in having a bullet train on this route;

• if so, the details thereof and whether the study indicated that such a project would be profitable;

• if so, the details thereof; and

• if not, the reasons for adopting this route for the proposed operation of a bullet train?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS

(SHRI RAJEN GOHAIN)

• & (b): The demand pattern on Indian Railways is not uniform throughout the year and it varies during the peak and lean seasons. The demand for travel surges especially during the peak season like during summer holidays, festivals, etc. The average occupancy of reserved trains on Mumbai-Ahmedabad-Mumbai sector during the Financial Year 2017-18 (upto November, 2017) was more than 100%.

• to (f): Yes, Madam. A joint feasibility study of Mumbai-Ahmedabad was conducted with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan. The joint feasibility study had projected positive economic rate of return for the project. Some of the economic benefits of the project include:

• economic development of the entire cluster along the corridor;

• Savings in travel time;

• Reduction in pollution;

• Job creation;

• Reduction in accident; and

• Saving in Green House Gas emissions.

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