The state is optimistic about the Railway Budget that will be presented by the new railway minister, Ms Mamata Banerjee, on Friday. There is a general feeling that the state had been given a raw deal in the last 10 years by successive railway ministers. However, this time, the state government is hopeful of getting clearance for several pending projects including the Multi Mode Transport System-Phase II which can ensure connectivity to outskirts.
Several MPs led by the Chief Minister’s son and MP of Kadapa, Mr Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, had recently met Ms Banerjee seeking “justice” for Andhra Pradesh. They sought funds for important sanctioned projects such as the Kadapa-Bengaluru line. The MPs told the Union minister that many railway projects, if sanctioned, will ensure good returns for the department. For instance, the Bengaluru-Kadapa railway line which was proposed with an estimated cost of Rs 693 crore is expected to give 17.37 per cent returns. The same is the case with Bhadrachalam-Kovvuru, Nadikudi-Srikalahasti and Ramagundam-Manguru lines. Nandyal-Yerraguntla, Kotipalli-Narsapur, Kakinda-Pithapuram, Macherla-Nalgonda, Dharmavaram-Pakala gauge conversion projects require funds worth Rs 1,400 crore.
The state government has also requested for new trains for several destinations including four express trains from Hyderabad to Visakhapatnam, Bengaluru, Goa and Ahmedabad.
The Centre has not yet sanctioned funds for MMTS phase-II and modernisation of Secunderbad railway station. “It is the right time to allocate funds for MMTS phase-II so that traffic congestion in city will be eased out,” said Mr Vijayaraghavan of MMTS Travelers Group Representatives.
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