The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : YSR raises `raw deal,' Velu promises `justice'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 08, 2005

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

YSR raises `raw deal,' Velu promises `justice'

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, FEB. 7. The Union Minister of State for Railways, R.Velu, has assured the Chief Minister, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, that "justice" will be rendered to the State in the next railway budget with regard to expediting execution of ongoing projects and clearance of pending ones.

During a meeting with Mr. Velu, the Chief Minister brought to his notice that the State was subjected to "gross injustice" in the 2004-05 budget in respect of new trains, lines and projects.

He pointed out how inadequate allotment of funds was causing delay in execution of seven new lines and one gauge conversion project and sought their inclusion in the next budget.

Positive response

According to a press release from the Chief Minister's office, the Union Minister responded positively to Dr. Reddy's request for inclusion of MMTS phase-II in the next budget, envisaging extension of routes. He also agreed with the Chief Minister that formation of Special Purpose Vehicle for MMTS should be expedited.

The Chief Minister proposed the introduction of an overnight express between Secunderabad and Chennai, via Kurnool and Cudapah, direct train from Shirdi to Tirupati via Aurangabad, Nanded, Nizamabad and Secunderabad, overnight express trains between Secunderabad and Gudur and between Machilipatnam/Narsapur and Tirupati.

Circular suburban trains on the Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali section and to increase the frequency of Secunderabad-Rajkot express from bi-weekly to daily.

He also sought steps for execution of the Obulavaripalle- Krishnapatnam railway line so that a distance of 85 km could be saved by exporters from the Krishnapatnam port. Mr. Velu promised to get a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) registered and added that Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd. would be directed to help in this regard.

The other proposals made by Dr. Reddy included modernisation of passenger amenities at the Secunderabad, Hyderabad, Kacheguda and Tirupati railway stations at a cost of Rs. 40 crores.

Referring to the slow pace of progress of some ongoing projects, he wondered how could the Nandyal-Yerraguntla railway line, estimated to cost Rs. 100 crores, be completed if the annual budget was a meagre Rs. 5 crores.

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