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Vasundhara seeks Rs.500 cr. for rail projects

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, FEB. 24. The Rajasthan Chief Minister, Vasundhara Raje, has sought an allocation of Rs. 500 crores for various railway projects, including gauge conversion, laying of new tracks and launching of surveys on important routes in the State, in the Railway Budget to be presented on February 26.

Ms. Raje, in a letter addressed to the Union Railway Minister, Lalu Prasad, has listed the proposals for extension of existing lines, introduction of new trains, electrification of three routes and increasing the frequency of several trains, while pointing out that Rajasthan needed an immediate expansion of the railway infrastructure in view of the tourism potential and industrial requirements.

The Chief Minister called for an allocation of Rs. 200 crores for completion of the new railway line projects of Dausa-Gangapur City, Kolayat-Phalodi and Ajmer-Pushkar, and Rs. 300 crores for the gauge conversion on Bhilri-Samdari, Rewari-Sadulpur, Nimach-Ratlam, Gandhidham-Palanpur and Ajmer-Chittaurgarh routes during 2005-06.

Ms. Raje pointed out that industrial growth of the desert State had picked up speed, making better railway transport facilities a necessity, while the huge oil reserves - discovered in western Rajasthan recently - and the minerals, limestone and gypsum excavated in the State also needed a reliable transportation network.

Besides, the rich cultural and historical heritage of the State attracts a large number of domestic and foreign tourists, who expect good transport facilities for fast and comfortable travel. Ms. Raje said the expansion of railway infrastructure and allocation of adequate funds for the works already sanctioned would help the State on all these fronts.

An official release issued here today stated that Ms. Raje had discussed all the proposals mentioned in her letter with the General Manager of North-Western Railway, S.B. Bhattacharya, the Leader of Opposition, B.D. Kalla, her Cabinet colleagues and senior officials of the State Government.

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