The allocations made to pending projects in Andhra Pradesh were welcomed by passenger and trade unions but they flayed the Railway Minister for not making a mention about the proposed South Coastal Zone and introducing trains.
Sizable allocations made to some inter and intra-state projects were hailed and it is hoped that funds will be released promptly. However, the fact that the Railway Minister’s budget speech did not say anything about the new zone has upset the unions.
They expressed regret that their expectations were belied though an assurance to carve out the zone was made at the highest level. It was believed that announcement with Visakhapatnam as headquarters was just a formality.
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Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Federation President-elect M. Murali Krishna said that it was disappointing that the zone did not figure in the priority list and pointed out that there was a provision for it in the A.P. Reorganisation Act.
An allocation of Rs.180 crore for the Nadikudi-Srikalahasti line, Rs.150 crore to the Gudur-Duvvada line, Rs.75 crore for doubling of the Vijayawada-Gudivada, Bhimavaram-Narsapuram, Gudivada-Machilipatnam and Bhimavaram-Nidadavolu lines, Rs.50 crore for doubling of Guntur-Tenali line and another Rs.50 crore for a new line between Kazipet and Vijayawada were appreciated as they help in expediting the development of A.P capital region.
Other significant allocations are: Rs. 200 crore for the Kotipalli-Narsapuram line, Rs.25 crore for Kakinada-Pithapuram, Rs.50 crore for Nandyal-Yerraguntla, Rs. 100 crore for Obulavaripalle-Krishnapatnam, Rs.110 crore for Jaggaiahpet–Mellacheruvu and Rs.29 crore for Kadapa-Bengaluru Rs.29 crore lines and Rs.80 crore for doubling of the Gutti-Dharmavaram line.
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New trains
Meanwhile, the non-introduction of new trains from Vijayawada and Guntur cities to Mumbai and Bengaluru, which are being demanded for a long time, evoked criticism. Railway connectivity was sought from Vijayawada and Guntur to all major south Indian cities in view of the importance of those two cities as the temporary capital of Andhra Pradesh but it did not materialise.
On the goods transportation front, the announcement of 1,100 km-long Vijayawada-Kharagpur line as a dedicated freight corridor running along the east coast was hailed as a major milestone. Development of Tirupati as one of the temple town stations is another positive in the budget.
Projects like circular stations and shuttle services between Vijayawada-Guntur-Tenali did not get any approval as the region is close to Amaravati – the new capital city of Andhra Pradesh and also in view of the forthcoming Krishna Pushkarams.
No funds were allotted to the ambitious Rail Neer project which was allotted to Vijayawada Division three years ago.
Vijayawada Railway Station Users’ Consultative Committee member Naraharisetti Srihari said it was good that pending projects were given allocations.
Pending projects are given allocations, says Vijayawada Railway Station Users’ Consultative Committee member