The Railway budget presented by Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday came as a disappointment to the State as there was no mention of the long pending demands.
Except for an announcement on launch of works on third line between Kazipet and Vijayawada and some other projects, the Union Minister’s speech was devoid of any concrete proposals relating to the State including the much-awaited announcement on separate zone and clubbing of Waltair division into the South Central Railway. There was also no mention about the coaching terminal sought by the government near Vijayawada, a project that assumed significance following the decision to locate the new capital in the vicinity. The State had also been pitching for dedicated train to New Delhi, post-bifurcation.
The Minister, however, made allocation of Rs. 100 crore for Mellacheruvu-Vishnupuram and Rs. 130 crore for Nandyal-Yerraguntla lines which were on completion mode.
