BJP ad campaign in Gujarat is off track: MoS Railways

Budgetary allocation to Gujarat had been higher under the UPA regime as compared to BJP-led NDA rule, he said here.

BJP has come out with an advertisement campaign, alleging that injustice had been meted out to Gujarat by the Centre, especially the Railways. The ad claims that rail network in Gujarat had actually reduced over the years.

"The BJP's ad campaign is malicious and based on falsehood. Records show that budgetary allocation to the state had been higher under UPA regime as compared to NDA rule," the Congress leader said.

"The broad gauge track, which was 902 km long in 1960, has increased to 3,506 km in 2012. Gauge conversion in Gujarat has helped reduce journey time between the state and national capitals by half," Solanki said.

Around 2,037 km of track has been converted from meter gauge to broad gauge, while 478 km has been converted from narrow gauge to broad gauge, the Minister said.

The four-fold increase in broad gauge lines has provided seamless passenger and freight movement from Gujarat to other states, Solanki said.