TN has given in principle nod for JV company: Suresh Prabhu

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today said Tamil Nadu government has given in principle consent to go in for a joint venture company to develop new projects.
"The State government has offered in principle consent and we will be very happy to work with them. A proposal for such joint ventures in states has already been approved by the Union Cabinet," he told reporters here.
Assuring that all districts in Tamil Nadu would get their due share of development for better connectivity, he said since TN has ports too, its connectivity would also be a priority.
As regards "suburban system" (railway projects) (for the State), he said, "we are willing to look at collaborating with the state to take it forward."

Station development is also on the cards through the PPP model and with all projects put together, the State is poised for overall growth, he said.
Earlier, in his address, Prabhu said with the limited resources available, funds for railway projects in Tamil Nadu are sanctioned as much as possible.

"During the current railway budget, Tamil Nadu was sanctioned more funds compared with previous years," he added.
Railways was being innovative in providing improved passenger amenities like paperless ticketing and online complaints redressal forum, he said.
Claiming that railways was effectively using social media, he said it was earnestly working for Swachh Bharat Mission through "Clean Railways - Clean India."

Prabhu also laid the foundation stone for a new broad gauge line between Chinna Salem and Kallakurichi through video conferencing.
He flagged off the Chennai Central-Shalimar Suvidha AC express train at Chennai Central through video conferencing and commenced sale of 'personalised take away bedrolls' at Chennai Central and Thiruvananthapuram Central through video conferencing.
He also announced additional stoppage for Navjeevan Express (Chennai Central - Ahmedabad - Chennai Central) at Sullurupetta and for Pinakini Express (Chennai Central - Vijayawada - Chennai Central) at Nayudupetta.
Sullurpetta and Nayudupetta are about 85 and 110 km respectively from Chennai in Andhra Pradesh.