The Hindu Business Line : Metro rail: States to choose gauge

The Union Cabinet has decided that in the construction of Metro Rail systems, the respective State Governments would choose the gauge to be adopted. There was a disagreement between the Ministry of Urban Development and the Ministry of Railways on the issue, said Defence Minister Mr Pranab Mukherjee while briefing the media. The Railways wanted broad gauge for all Metro Rail systems, to make them interoperable with Indian Railways' tracks.

"The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for acceptance of the recommendation of the Group of Ministers (constituted under the Chairmanship for Agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution) to the effect that operation and maintenance of Metro Rail systems within a municipal area are legislated upon by the State Governments concerned and the institution of Commissioner of Railway Safety are strengthened so as to issue safety certification to such systems," said Mr Mukherjee, adding that the Cabinet also agreed that the choice of gauge should be left to the State Governments concerned. It will also provide a legal backup for the construction and operation of the Metro Rail systems in various cities in a gauge chosen by the State Government concerned, he stated. On whether Bangalore Metro came up for discussion at the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today, he replied in the negative.

Vadodara-Surat six-lane highway

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the development of a six-lane highway between Vadodara and Surat, as part of the Golden Quadrilateral, on a build-operate-transport basis. An upfront negative grant of Rs 975 crore had already been offered in a competitive bidding procedure.