Premium
This is an archive article published on October 27, 2009

Contribute to rail projects or face delays: Muniyappa to state

In what could be termed as ‘Tatkal’ scheme of the Centre,Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa on Monday requested the state government to contribute 50 per cent to the cost of new lines and gauge conversion projects for their speedy implementation or be ready for delays.

In what could be termed as ‘Tatkal’ scheme of the Centre,Minister of State for Railways K H Muniyappa on Monday requested the state government to contribute 50 per cent to the cost of new lines and gauge conversion projects for their speedy implementation or be ready for delays. The six-time MP from Kolar in Karnataka was on his first visit to Gujarat.

He told reporters at the Circuit House Annexe that states like Karnataka,Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand had already made such contributions. “The states will have to contribute if they want faster progress of the projects,” he said,denying that this suggested the Railways was facing a financial crunch.

Muniyappa said that over 2,000 km of metre gauge and narrow gauge lines in Gujarat will be converted into broad gauge in the next three to four years. The allocation for gauge conversion and electrification is to the tune of Rs 442.62 crore.

Story continues below this ad

He added that Ahmedabad and Porbandar stations have been included for upgrade to world class standards,while Gandhidham and Vadodara have been identified for establishing multi-functional complexes. Besides,30 railway stations in Gujarat are being developed as Model Stations. These include Anand,Dwarka,Jamnagar,Nadiad,Rajkot,Surendranagar and Okha. “Of these,work has already been completed at 11 stations,” he said.

He added that rail overbridges and underbridges were sanctioned at a cost of Rs 227 crore. “The state government has agreed to share the cost. An amount of Rs 19.04 crore has been earmarked in the current budget. Five railway overbridges were commissioned last year and six more are planned this year,” he said.

He added that there is a proposal to set up a medical college in Ahmedabad through the Private-Public-Partnership (PPP) model to upgrade medical educational facilities in the state. Earlier in the day,Muniyappa visited several railway project sites and held meetings with six divisional managers and WR General Manager R N Verma.

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Latest Comment
Post Comment
Read Comments
Advertisement
Loading Taboola...
Advertisement