Karnataka   

Railway Budget disappoints Chitradurga district

Chitradurga: The Railway Budget presented by Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday comes as a disappointment to Chitradurga district.

This year too the longstanding demand for a railway link between Chitradurga and Tumkur, through Bangalore, was not granted.

The former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, who was here in February, had promised that work on the line would be completed soon. He also said that the Ministry had enough funds to undertake the work. The people seemed optimistic when Kolar MP K.H. Muniyappa was appointed Minister of State for Railways in the current regime. The District Railway Horata Samiti, during a recently felicitation ceremony, urged the Minister to ensure that the project was given due importance.

“Our hopes have been dashed once again. Mr. Muniyappa has failed to keep his promise,” said samiti president C. Chitralingappa. He told presspersons here on Friday that the samiti would intensify its agitation and try and ensure that the project was pushed forward. “Besides Chitradurga, Davangere and Tumkur districts will also be benefited if the project takes shape,” he added.

“The link will reduce traffic congestion on National Highway 13 and save travel time considerably. Poor people can also get to travel at an affordable price. Businessmen will also get better opportunities to transport goods.”

Later, Chitradurga MP Janardhana Swamy, in a telephonic conversation with The Hindu from New Delhi, termed Ms. Bannerjee’s budget regrettable.

Unhappy over the neglect of the State by the Congress-led Government, he alleged that Karnataka continued to suffer at the hands of the Centre.

Asked the reason for non-inclusion of the project, he said, “According to officials, the survey report submitted to the Government was not comprehensive. Hence it was rejected.”

However, Mr. Janardhana Swamy expressed confidence that after resubmission of the report next year with the required changes, the project would be implemented. “Having said this, we will not keep quiet. We will continue to pressure the Government into meeting our demands. The MPs of Davangere and Tumkur are also working towards this,” he added.

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