Centre allocates paltry sum to Southern Railway projects

Though the overall allocation of Rs 2,548 crore (rough estimate), which includes Rs 960 crore track renewal (regular work) for the state sounded impressive, project-wise allocation was paltry even by railway standards. Some crucial ongoing new line projects like Chennai –Cuddalore via Mahabalipuram, Erode-Palani and Madurai-Thoothukudi via Arupukottai have been allocated paltry sums. For instance, the ministry has only allocated Rs 1 crore for 179.28 km Chennai–Cuddalore new line (construction) from its coffers, leaving another Rs 100 crore to be mopped up for extra budgetary resources (EBR - usually debt from lenders like LIC), which have been hard to tap. 

The crucial project, which would provide railway corridor along the East Coast Road, requires an estimated Rs 2,650 crore. Budgetary allocation for Erode-Palani (91km) new line project was even worse at Rs 10 lakh. Madurai –Thoothukudi has been allocated Rs 20 crore for 2018-19 fiscal. In the same breath, no capital outlay has been provided for Chennai Beach-Korukkupet third line (4.1km) and Chennai Beach – Attipattu fourth line (22.1km) as the ministry has cited EBR for both doubling projects. 

An outlay of Rs 10 lakh has only been allocated for Chennai Central – Basin Bridge fifth and sixth lines. DREU leader Elango questioned even the Rs 2,548 crore allocation to the state and said, “The very information pertaining to Tamil Nadu is misleading. The sum includes track renewal, signal and even construction of quarters for railway staff.” Claiming that the outlay was Rs 3,610 last year (2017-18), it has been reduced to Rs 2,932 crore for 2018-19 fiscal, of the Rs 159 crore allocated for new lines, only Rs 49 crore was for the state.