CM Stalin urges Railway Minister to reconsider budget cuts impacting Tamil Nadu projects
Stalin pointed out a decrease of ₹285.64 crore for doubling projects, from ₹2214.4 crore to ₹1928.8 crore.
(L-R) Chief Minister MK Stalin, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday expressed concerns over the significant reduction in funds allocated in the Budget for the Southern Railway, particularly railway projects in Tamil Nadu, for the financial year 2024-25.
In a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the CM sought to ensure allocation of adequate funds earmarked for new lines, doubling works, and customer amenities projects in Tamil Nadu. "I reiterate that these vital projects should not be delayed further due to shortage of funds. I look forward to your personal intervention in this regard,” Stalin said in his letter.
In his letter, Stalin highlighted that the allocation for new line projects has been drastically reduced from ₹976.1 crore in the Interim Budget to ₹301.3 crore in the Regular Budget, amounting to a reduction of ₹674.8 crore.
He also pointed out a decrease of ₹285.64 crore for doubling projects, from ₹2,214.4 crore to ₹1928.8 crore.
“The drastic reduction in allocation of funds by ₹674.8 crore for new line projects will severely affect the progress of many important ongoing projects in Tamil Nadu. Similarly, reduction in allocation of funds for doubling projects by ₹285.64 crore will definitely slow down the much needed doubling projects in our State,” the Chief Minister stated in the letter to the Railway Minister.
He further emphasised that, “the railway works related to Kilambakkam bus terminus, EMU services, and MRTS lines need to be expedited without any further delay before the onset of the northeast monsoon", and stressed that these vital Southern Railway projects in Chennai and its surrounding areas should not be delayed further due to shortage of funds.
CM Stalin sought to draw Vaishnaw’s attention to the restoration of MRTS services to the Chennai Beach station and the handing over of the MRTS line to the Tamil Nadu government after obtaining the approval of the railway board. He also brought up speedy completion of the Detailed Project Report for the Tambaram - Chengalpattu 4th line project, early introduction of AC EMU services on Beach-Tambaram-Chengalpattu section, railway board approval for integrated ticketing and augmenting of suburban train services in Chennai division with a peak hour headway of 5-7 minutes.
(With PTI inputs)