Major Rajasthan railway line projects go off track

Train passengers have been welcoming the slew of projects granted to Rajasthan in the railway budget during the last two to three years. However, many of these projects have been put on the backburner and the government has remained silent on them. As a result, a few of the projects are yet to see light of the day. Some of them include:

Jaisalmer-Barmer new line

Survey of the Jaisalmer-Barmer new line was completed in 2012-13. The cost of this 145-km long line was assessed at Rs 518 crore and the project had a rate of return of (-)7.74%. The ministry of defence was requested to share the cost but its response is still awaited.

Barmer-Bhabhar new line

Survey of the Barmer-Bhabhar new line was completed in 2012-13. Cost of this 194-km long line was assessed at Rs 786 crore with a rate of return of (-)7.38%. The project was considered a big economic boost for the limestone industry in the desert region. But the project could not be taken forward due limited availability of funds and its unremunerative nature as defined by the ministry of railways.

Dungarpur-Sagwada-Banswara-Ratlam

The Dungarpur-Sagwada-Banswara-Ratlam new line project was sanctioned in the Budget 2010-11.

The Railway Board and the state government were supposed to bear 50% each of the project cost. The state government did not want to share the costs and put land acquisition on hold. Therefore, the ministry of railways decided to freeze the project

Ajmer (Nasirabad)-Sawai  Madhopur (Chauth Ka Barwara) railway line

Ajmer (Nasirabad)-Sawai Madhopur (Chauth Ka Barwara) via Tonk railway line was sanctioned with a provision that the state government will share 50% of the cost of the project and provide land free of cost. But the state has expressed its inability to share the high cost of the project. However, a final decision in this regard from the state government is awaited.