The Karnataka Chief Minister, Mr B.S. Yeddyurappa, on Wednesday urged the Railway Ministry to expedite projects in the State to avoid cost escalation.
“Though Karnataka is in the forefront in the country in taking up Railway projects on cost sharing basis, it has not been possible to achieve progress on expected lines,” Mr Yeddyurappa told reporters after chairing a meeting to review the progress of Railway projects under implementation.
During 2010-11, the State released Rs 498 crore towards rail projects but only Rs 275.93 crore has been utilised, he said.
The Government had decided to constitute a coordination committee under the chairmanship of the State Chief Secretary, Mr S.V. Ranganath, and railway officials to monitor the progress of works, he said.
The committee would meet every month, it was decided at the meeting, which was attended by officials from the State and Ministry of Railways.
Land acquisition
The Union Minister of the State for Railways, Mr K H Muniyappa, said that Karnataka has offered Rs 600 crore annually towards railway projects and cited land acquisition problems for delay execution of some projects.