Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday commended Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee for reiterating the emphasis on social responsibility in implementing new railway projects.
In her previous budget too, Ms. Banerjee had laid down the approach, the Chief Minister recalled in a statement.
He welcomed her announcement of formulating proposals for Madurai-Kottayam, Madurai-Tuticorin, Dindigul-Kumuli and Rameswaram-Dhanushkodi sections under the category of socially desirable projects in backward areas.
ADVERTISEMENT
He appreciated a host of other announcements, including the new line survey for Krishnagiri-Chamrajnagar and completion of gauge conversion work on Dindigul-Palani and Mayiladuthurai-Tiruvarur stretches.
The declaration of Tiruvarur station as Adarsh station and the proposal to construct multi-functional complexes on the premises of Salem, Tiruchi Fort and Tiruttani stations were also welcomed by the Chief Minister.
Ms. Banerjee’s commitment that the section between Velachery and St. Thomas Mount under the Mass Rapid Transit Project would be completed by March 2012 was comforting.
ADVERTISEMENT
The introduction of new suburban services in the stretches of Chennai Central-Sulurpetta-Beach, Chennai Beach-Velachery, Beach-Tiruttani-Central and Central-Arakkonam-Central would be useful for a large number of commuters.
Welcoming the project for modernisation and expansion of capacity of the Integral Coach Factory, the Chief Minister said the proposal to establish a sports academy in Chennai was happy news.