Terming it as novel and innovative, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the Railway Budget.
In a joint statement, its senior president S. Rethinavelu and president N. Jegatheesan said that Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu had acted like a Chief Executive Officer, keen on making Indian Railways a self-supporting entity. The projects had been distributed among all States, reflecting his commitment in overall growth. “It is hoped that projects languishing in the State owing to fund crunch would eventually get sufficient funds,”the release said.
The Sattur Chamber of Commerce and Industry has welcomed the budget for not raising the rail fare. Its general secretary P.T.K.A. Balasubramanian said that ‘Operation 5 minutes,’ an attempt to issue unreserved tickets to passengers within five minutes, would help the common man. Introduction of more unreserved coaches and installation of surveillance cameras in ladies compartments were welcomed by the chamber.
‘Disappointing’
The budget has come as a disappointment for Tamil Nadu, though it accorded priority for passenger safety, technology and development, said Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association (MADITSSIA). Its president V. S. Manimaran said that it was disappointing that no announcement had been made on Madurai-Tuticorin industrial corridor. He said people of south Tamil Nadu were disappointed that Madurai-Melur-Karaikudi line and introduction of Madurai-Chennai, Madurai-Tirunelveli and Madurai-Bengaluru day trains were not considered.
The former president, MADITSSIA, KR. Gnanasambandan, felt that when projects were kept in cold storage there was no point in announcing new schemes. He welcomed the announcement of survey for Madurai-Karaikudi and Thanjavur-Pudukottai lines, allocation of funds for electrification and doubling of Madurai-Kanyakumari section and provision of mobile charger stations in ordinary compartments.
