Minister moots JV route for railway projects in Tamil Nadu

Inaugurating a host of projects in southern railway (SR) at a function held in Chennai Central, Prabhu urged Tamil Nadu  government to consider forming a joint venture with Railways to execute railway projects faster. 

Referring to states like Kerala, AP and Telangana, which had given their nod for such JVs, the minister appealed to the state MLAs and MPs who took part in  the event to persuade their government to partner with his ministry. 

Assuring to launch direct and exclusive train service between Coimbatore and Bengaluru soon, the railway minister said that rolling stock was being ordered for the train connecting highly industrialised Coimbatore with knowledge hub Bengaluru. The minister also said the ministry has partnered with Germany, South Korea and France to develop railway infrastructure and network using their advanced technology. 

Claiming that budgetary allocation for Tamil Nadu has been increased by 160% in the incumbent BJP regime, Prabhu noted that allotment for various railways projects was about Rs 800 crore till about 2014 and it has been enhanced to Rs 2,287 crore for projects in  the 2017-18 budget. Speaking on the occasion, AIADMK MP Dr Maithreyan emphasized on establishing fourth line between Chennai Beach and Egmore Railway Stations and 3rd and 4th lines between Athipattu  and Gummidipoondi railway stations. State revenue minister M R Vijayabhaskar, CPI(M) MP T K Rangarajan and general manager of SR Vashishta Johri also participated in the function.