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Forty-one surveys for new lines have been included in the Budget 2004-05. All the Surveys are targeted for completion during 2005-06. Stating this in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha today, the Minister of State for Railways Shri R. Velu informed the Houses that the policy for taking up new line projects was enunciated by the National Transport Policy Committee in 1980. This policy states that new lines would be taken up on the following criteria:
Project oriented lines to serve new industries for tapping mineral and other resources.
Missing links for completing alternative routes to relieve congestion on existing saturated routes.
Lines required for strategic reasons; and
Lines for establishment of new growth centres or giving access to remote areas.
Apart from this, the financial viability of the projects is also taken into consideration. As per extant norms, a project is considered financially justified if it yields a return of not less than 14% under Discounted Cash Flow Method, the Minister added.
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