Tamil Nadu political leaders frown at Railway Budget

While welcoming the setting up of first ever Rail Auto Hub in Chennai and a NorthSouth Dedicated Freight Corridor from New Delhi to Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Thursday said the Railway Budget, has failed to meet the expectations of the people of the State. 

Stating that the Railway Minister seems to have been buffeted by the headwinds facing him in terms of the overall slowdown in the international economy and the possible impact of the Seventh Pay Commission, she said with the Railway Capital expenditure expected to be stepped up substantially to Rs 1.21 lakh crores, it was surprising that no specific projects were announced, including several projects in Tamil Nadu which she had requested through her letter dated February 11 this year. 

Expressing her happiness over the Railway Minister sparing the common man by not levying any increase in the rail fares this year and put at rest some of the apprehensions on that score, the Chief Minister said “I do hope that with the enhanced capital budget and better project management practices being put in place, the railway projects currently under implementation in the State, including the double lining of the entire stretch from Villupuram to Kanyakumari, would be completed speedily.” 

Expressing his dissatisfaction over non-announcement of new trains for the state in the Railway Budget, Tamil Maanila Congress President GK Vasan said there was no assurance from the Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu that the pending projects in Tamil Nadu would be completed soon. 

“There is no announcement about connecting the pilgrimage centres in South and North Tamil Nadu. Railways should also initiate the process on the rail line from Chennai to Kanyakumari along the East Coast Road,” he said in a statement. 

Expressing contentment over the 33 percent reservation for women in online ticket booking and additional benefits for senior citizens, DMDK leader Vijaykanth appreciated the Railway Budget for not hiking the fares. “However, it is disappointing that the long awaited train services like twoway tracks and electrification project for Tamil Nadu have not been announced,” he said in a statement. 

Welcoming announcements like appointing men at unmanned railway gates, WiFi facility at 400 railway stations and upgradation of Chennai, Velankanni and Nagapattinam railway stations, AC Shanmugam, founder-leader of Pudhiya Needhikatchi also expressed disappointment over no announcement of new trains for Tamil Nadu. 

The Sindhi Chamber of Commerce has lauded Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu for presenting a ‘comprehensive budget’.