New Delhi, Feb. 5 -- Railway projects in India are planned, sanctioned and executed on a zonal basis rather than state-wise, as several projects span multiple state boundaries, the Lok Sabha was informed.

In a written reply, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said that the sanctioning of railway projects is based on a range of parameters, including financial viability, traffic projections, last-mile connectivity, elimination of missing links, creation of alternative routes, and capacity augmentation on congested or saturated sections.

"Consideration is also given to demands raised by state governments, central ministries, Members of Parliament and other public representatives, along with the Railways' operational requirements ...