The Hindu : Central transport policy to focus on rail-road link

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Feb 23, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Central transport policy to focus on rail-road link

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 22 . The Union Minister of State for Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation, Bandaru Dattatraya, has said that the Central Government will give priority to a multi-mode rail-road link-up in its proposed urban transport policy as part of the attempts to find a solution to traffic problems in cities.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr. Dattatraya, who holds independent charge, said the draft policy had been circulated among the States. The main thrust of the recommendations was on the link-up between railways and road network, he added.

As far as Kerala was concerned, his Ministry had sanctioned Rs. 25 crores for the establishment of a Habitat Centre in the State capital. Stating that the Centre had proposals to set up Habitat Centres in all State capitals, he said that two projects would be taken up in Hyderabad and Lucknow.

Mr. Dattatraya, who was in the capital in connection with the inauguration of dwelling units constructed under the Valmiki Awas Yojana in Nedumangad Municipality, said his Ministry had released Rs. 25.71 crores for the implementation of the programme as against the original allocation of Rs. 15.13 crores during 2001-03. The Minister said that 12,858 housing units had been sanctioned and of this, 2,567 units had been completed and work was in progress on 4,233 units. The Centre was considering an additional allocation of Rs.13.65 crores for 2003-04, envisaging the sanctioning of 8,236 housing units.

He said that over 2.13 lakh housing units and over 28,750 toilet units had been sanctioned all over the country, with the programme proving to be a success in the State. With regard to Hudco's performance in Kerala, Mr. Dattatraya said that a sum of Rs. 2,006 crores had been sanctioned for housing and infrastructure development, during the last five years as against the Rs. 1,470.87 crores sanctioned during the last 28 years.

The number of housing units supported by Hudco till 1998 was 7,86,648 and in just five years, till January 2004, Hudco had extended assistance for the construction of 4,76,342 units. The extent of assistance for infrastructure development till 1998 was only Rs. 399 crores, but in the last five years it had extended an amount of Rs. 496 crores.

Mr. Dattatraya said that Hudco had sanctioned a total of Rs. 113 crores for both housing and infrastructure development in the State during 2003-04. Hudco had sanctioned a loan of Rs 99.4 crores to the Kerala Roads and Bridges Development Corporation for the development of 15 rail over-bridges (ROBs) throughout the State.

With regard to the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery, the Minister said that Hudco was not against conversion of its loans into equity, but there were reports that the CIAL was considering paying up its entire dues. He said his Ministry was considering a proposal to declare Hudco as a "Mini-ratna" company and once this comes through, a number of proposals, including the one relating to Nedumbassery, would not need Cabinet clearance.

The Union Minister of State for Defence, O. Rajagopal, who was also present at the press conference, said that the Habitat project, which he had initiated, was a prestigious one and the proposal had been accepted by the Cabinet for implementation in other States. The Habitat Centre would be a boon to art and cultural affairs of the State, he added.

The centre would come up on a 3.75-acre plot near the Kawdiar Palace and the Technical Design committee, in association with the Kerala State Housing Board, was now inspecting the site and design.

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