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Dhumal sees some relief

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has welcomed the Railway Minister’s announcement on construction of a 63-km Bhanupalli-Bilaspur-Beri broad gauge railway line in the hill State.

But he has expressed disappointment over lack of any other important rail line like Chandigarh-Baddi, Barotiwala-Nangal or conversion of Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow rail line into broad gauge.

The Bhanupalli-Bilaspur rail line has been sanctioned to feed the cement corridor comprising the huge ACC and Ambuja cement plants in the State. The Chief Minister said the State had already made a Budget provision of Rs.37 crore as its share for the construction of this line in its Annual Plan for the year 2008-09. He said he was disappointed over the Railway Ministry’s proposal to place the Chandigarh-Baddi railway line in its survey list only.

He also expressed his concern over no mention about conversion of the Pathankot-Jogindernagar narrow gauge line into broad gauge for connecting the border areas through Mandi-Kullu-Manali-Lahaul valley to Leh-Ladakh which was strategically important. The Chief Minister is also upset over non-extension of the Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi Express up to Una and introduction of a new Shatabdi between New Delhi and Pathankot which are badly needed by people in the lower areas of Himachal.

The State Committee of the CPI (M) has also said that the Railway budget has failed to meet the expectations of the people of Himachal. But it has appreciated the cut in passenger fares while criticising the disturbing drive towards privatisation of container trains and depots and outsourcing of railway services and privatisation of railway property in the name of Private-Public Partnership.

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Tuesday appreciated the concessions given in the Railway Budget.

In a statement here, Mr. Hooda congratulated Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad for presenting a people-friendly Railway Budget.

He said decisions like preference to minorities in recruitment board, introduction of free season tickets for female students up to graduation level and 50 per cent discount for senior women citizens would benefit the people immensely.

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Dhumal sees some relief

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