The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Karunanidhi seeks adequate funds for railway projects

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Thursday, Nov 19, 2009
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Karunanidhi seeks adequate funds for railway projects

Special Correspondent

Chief Minister writes to Mamata Banerjee

M. Karunanidhi

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has urged Minister for Railways Mamata Banerjee to allocate adequate funds for railway projects in the State.

In a letter, Mr. Karunanidhi referred to projects coming to a standstill. The Ministry had allocated Rs.240 crore for gauge conversion projects.

An additional Rs.280 crore would be required to complete them on time.

The projects covering the stretches of Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur-Karaikudi-Tiruthuraipoondi and Nagapattinam-Thiruthuraipoondi via Tirukuvalai could not be completed on account of inadequate allocation of funds.

An allocation of Rs.112 crore had been made for line doubling projects in the State. In the case of the Chengalpattu-Villupuram project, Rs.77 crore more was required even for the current year.

Pointing out that the same was the case in respect of projects for new lines, the Chief Minister said Rs.36 crore was set apart this year for the Salem-Karur project (85 km), of which Rs.34 crore had been spent. A total of Rs.140 crore was required for the current year. So, for any further progress, Rs.104 crore was needed.

There was delay in the execution of the projects covering the stretches of Tindivanam-Tiruvannamalai, Tindivanam-Nagari, Athipattu-Puthur, Erode-Palani and Chennai-Cuddalore through Mamallapuram, he said. Reacting to a news item, ‘Railway projects on hold,’ published in this newspaper on Wednesday, a communication from Southern Railway stated that even though there was “constraint of funds,” in the current year for various projects, mostly under the gauge conversion plan head, “no project has been slowed down.”

Projects progressing “satisfactorily”

All the projects were progressing “satisfactorily” as Southern Railway was hopeful of getting additional funds from the Railway Board.

As regards the problem concerning the Chengalpattu-Villupuram doubling project, the issue was being discussed regularly with the State government and quarry permits were expected shortly.

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