Union Minister of Railways Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu emphasised the need for cooperation from State governments for executing new projects and those delayed due to fund constraints.
Flagging off the Chennai Central-Visakhapatnam Weekly Superfast Express at the Chennai Central Station on Sunday, Mr. Prabhu said the Railways had planned to create Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) with State governments to execute gauge conversion, electrification, doubling of tracks and other infrastructure projects which were identified or in the pipeline. Pointing out the various infrastructure development works such as doubling of tracks from Chengalpet to Villupuram, guage conversion between Palani and Pollachi and construction of additional platforms at Tambaram carried out by the Southern Railway, Mr. Prabhu said a total of Rs. 690 crore was allotted for gauge conversion alone.
Talking to reporters about the delay in announcing Royapuram railway station as a terminal for residents of north Chennai, Mr. Prabhu said feasibility study was under progress and any announcements could be made only after it was completed. Regarding cancellation of 14 projects in the State, Mr. Prabhu said the proposed SPV with State governments could help revive these projects. On the measures adopted to prevent manual scavenging in the Railways, Mr. Prabhu admitted that it is a big challenge to keep the tracks clean. He said the Research Designs and Standards Organisation (RDSO), Lucknow, has been asked to coordinate with scientific organisations to find a solution by installing bio-toilets in coaches.
CPI(M) MP T.K. Rangarajan wanted the weekly superfast express to be converted into a daily service, as it would benefit a large number of people in the State.
Union Minister of State for Road Transport, Highways and Shipping Pon Radhakrishnan and State Transport Minister V. Senthil Balaji participated.
