Maximum city got minimum, say parties, passengers bodies

Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda neglects suggestions made by Prithviraj Chavan for more fundsRailway Minister Sadanand Gowda neglects suggestions made by Prithviraj Chavan for more funds

The ruling parties in Maharashtra — Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party — and passenger organisations have strongly criticised the Narendra Modi government’s maiden railway budget, saying the maximum city (Mumbai) got minimum consideration.

The Federation of Mumbai Rail Suburban Passengers, an apex body of all associations, said the Centre has not made any mention about the creation of a separate zone for Central and Western railways to improve efficiency. This apart, the railway budget is silent on the implementation of the fifth and sixth corridors between Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus and Kurla to have an exclusive corridor for the entire express and goods train traffic to Kalyan.

According to the Federation, the Centre has not made any specific provisions for the betterment of suburban rail stations. About 7.5 million daily suburban rail commuters, who forced the Centre to roll back the recent fare hike, will have to wait for two years to get 864 new electrical multiple units.

Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda has announced a bullet train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, a fourth track between Kasara and Igatpuri and conversion of Chandrapur-Nagbhid section into broad guage. A new line between Karjat and Lonavala will be launched. Besides, the railway minister has announced 13 trains for the state, which will run once a week.

Maharashtra’s deputy chief minister and NCP leader Ajiit Pawar has slammed the Centre for not making any substantial financial allocation for the expansion of railway in Maharashtra. He termed the raiway budget “a disappointing one” and contrary to claims made by the Shiv Sena-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alliance during the Lok Sabha election campaign. Pawar expressed serious doubts over the implementation of projects proposed by Gowda for Maharashtra.

NCP spokesman Nawab Malik alleged the Centre has proposed privatisation of the railways under the garb of public-private partnership (PPP) and foreign direct investment (FDI). He also claimed that the new recruitment might not take place as Gowda has proposed outsourcing of various activities in the railways.

NCP's ally Congress also took a swipe against the Modi government for neglecting Mumbai. Janardan Chandurkar, president of Mumbai Regional Congress Committee, told Business Standard: “The Modi government has done little to provide relief to Mumbai rail commuters. Over 40 per cent of the country's total railway passengers are from Mumbai who contribute the highest revenues. However, there has not been any concrete plans to improve basic amenities every year.''

Notably, Gowda simply dumped a slew of suggestions made by Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan last week. The chief minister had pressed the need for the introduction of three more coal suburban rakes to top the existing 12 car rakes on the Central Railway and introduce 50 additional services on the main line and trans harbour line. He had sought the introduction of 50 additional services on the main line of Western Railway.

Chavan had emphasised the need for an increase in the outlay to Rs 500 crore from Rs 375 crore provided in the interim budget for the Mumbai Urban Transport Project, phase-II.

However, state BJP chief Devendra Fadnavis has welcomed the rail minister's proposals to promote PPP and FDI to provide basic amenities. He also welcomed the introduction of 15 new trains in the state.