Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Tuesday, Dec 30, 2003 |
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Logistics
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Railways TN high priority for fund allocation, says Nitish Chingleput-Tambaram broad gauge line dedicated to nation Our Bureau
Chingleput , Dec. 29 THE Railway Minister, Mr Nitish Kumar, on Monday dedicated to the nation the newly converted Chingleput-Tambaram broad gauge railway line — the second line in the corridor. He also announced that the Chennai MRTS (mass rapid transit system) would be extended up to Thiruvanmiyur from Thirumailai on January 26, 2004. The 31-km Chingleput-Tambaram line was converted to broad gauge at a cost of Rs 46 crore. The project forms part of the Rs 520-crore Chingleput-Chennai Beach gauge conversion project sanctioned in 1998-99. It was taken up in a phased manner on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis between the Railway Ministry and the Tamil Nadu Government. A Southern Railway official said the two broad gauge lines would ensure quick transit and smooth flow of traffic to and from Chennai. The broad gauge trains with their increased carrying capacity would help commuters in the busy corridor. About 50 broad gauge trains, carrying around 1.50 lakh passengers, pass through the corridor every day. There are also 14 metre gauge trains running in the corridor, he said. In the last few years, there has been a steady increase in passenger traffic in the corridor due to rapid development of the Chennai metropolis and its suburbs. The presence of large manufacturing units, including Ford in Maraimalai Nagar and a few engineering colleges, also added to the traffic flow in the corridor. Mr Kumar also flagged off additional EMU (electric multiple units) services between Chingleput and Tambaram. The Southern Railway increased the number of EMU services between the two destinations to 32 from 22. Speaking at the function, Mr Kumar said there was no discrimination against Tamil Nadu in allocation of funds for railways projects in the State. On the contrary, Tamil Nadu is on a high priority list for funds allocation. "I take care of Tamil Nadu well," he said. Responding to a point raised by Mr R. Viswanathan, Tamil Nadu Transport Minister, seeking more funds for Tamil Nadu, Mr Kumar said allocation was based on the area and population of the State, and status of the project. Mr Viswanathan said in the last three years, Rs 2,353.62 crore was sanctioned for various railway projects in Tamil Nadu. However, out of this, only Rs 388.28 crore was allocated so far. Tamil Nadu should be given priorities on a par with other States on resource allocation, he said.
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