Railway Minister blames TN govt for delay in conversion works

Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge today blamed Tamil Nadu government for the delay in implementation of Madurai Bodinayakanur broad gauge conversion work.
Talking to reporters here after inspecting the project at various places, he said in Karnataka, Punjab and 11 other states, the state governments' share in railway projects were given on time, and cooperation from them was good, and hence the projects could be implemented at a faster pace there.
But in Tamil Nadu, cooperation of the state government was not forthcoming, he charged.
The state government was not helping in land acquisition for Bodinayakanur-Madurai project, extending to 90.41 km, he further alleged.

Three more stations would be formed at Valandur, Chekanoorani and Usilampatti in the section.
Kharge said the total number of projects pending, both conversion and new line formation, was 278, and amount needed to complete them was Rs three lakh crore.

The railways could not generate so much funds, he said.
Taking into consideration the people's interest and welfare, the state governments should contribute their share on time to implement the projects at the earliest, he said.
Madurai-Bodinayakanur conversion project required now Rs 309 crore against the original estimate of Rs 250 crore .If the state gave its share, then it could complete the project, he added.