the goan I network
BELAGAVI
Apart from this, additional Rs 250 crore have been allotted for the ongoing doubling of the Hospet-Vasco railway line.
According to sources, Rs 3,146crore was allocated to the SWR of which a major chunk goes to line doubling that includes Rs 250 crore allocated to doubling of Hospet-Vasco-da-Gama railway line.
Though the combined Union Budget was presented on February 1, the finer details came out a little later with the Indian Railways releasing the ‘Pink Book’ with details for allocations for various projects on Friday.
According to the details released by the SWR, some new line works got a boost, electrification of the Hospet-Vasco got Rs 88 crore and Miraj Londa got Rs 22 crore.
In addition to this, doubling of Hospet- Vasco (407 kms) railway line that was allocated Rs 2,127 crore in 2010-11 has got an additional Rs 250 crore in the 2017 budget.
“Doubling of railway line between Hospet and Tinaighat is progressing at a faster pace. In Goa, doubling between Margao and Kulem too is progressing. The doubling work is expected to complete by 2018, however, but obstacles in land acquisition may delay the implementation,” SWR PRO Ramachandra told The Goan.
Meanwhile, Karnataka has flayed the Center for releasing lesser funds to the state compared with other states.
S M Kulkarni and others from the Rail advocacy groups complained that the SWR got meagre allocation of Rs 3,146 crore compared to Central Railway (Rs 6,419 crore),
South Central Railway (Rs 5,598 crore) and Southern Railway (Rs 5,785 crore).
Minister for Tourism R V Deshpande said the allocations are unjustified, as the state’s demand for implementation of Hubballi-Ankola railway line connecting the Konkan Railway has been completely ignored.
“This line is vital for the overall connectivity of Karnataka with the coastal states of Goa, Kerala,” Deshpande said.
