Doubling or KR tracks: Rly Min explores possibility of sharing costs THE GOAN NETWORK
MARGAO
Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu has spoken about his endeavour to explore the possibility of roping in the Union Road Transport Ministry while undertaking work on doubling of KR tracks. This, he said, could lead to sharing of costs for this purpose, especially in sectors such as roads and bridges, for an effective synergy between the two ministries.
On the other hand, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar urged the Railway Ministry to undertake work on doubling of tracks 'properly.' He suggested that work of doubling could be undertaken in stretches of 15 to 40 kms or between two to three stations, wherever possible.
Addressing a gathering while inaugurating the multi modal logistics park at Balli station of KR and coach intermediate overhauling depot at Margao, along with Phase II of Sawantwadi terminal, Mango Pack House at Jamsande, Devgad, Prabhu explained the need of the Park as a means to promote exports by facilitating the transport of domestic and overseas cargo.
An MOU was also signed between KR and Container Corporation of India (CCI) for this purpose. “This Park will help promote exports, creation of more jobs and opportunities for Goa,” Prabhu added.
Pegged at a cost of Rs 30 crore and spread over an area of 1 lakh sqmt, Prabhu said the warehouse in this Park will be spread over an area of 50,000 sqmt. “Once complete, we plan to send 15 rakes of containers out of this Park on a monthly basis,” Prabhu remarked.
Prtabhu said the hand held Ticketing Device for TTEs, which as launched by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will increase rail revenue and be more customer-friendly.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar lamented the fact that the pre-publicity exercise before embarking on this idea of the Park had not ocurred. He urged the CCI to liaise with the captains of the trade and industry, especially the Chambers of Commerce, to work out more facilities to enable trade. At the same time, he also urged the CCI to explain the benefits of the Park as to how it will benefit the people.
While informing the KR that the 'RO-RO' facility on KR tracks was his idea, Parrikar said rail transportation will offload the stress on roads on to the railways and help in avoiding congestion as well as reduction in cost of transportation.
Earlier, Anil Gupta of CCI claimed the Park, the 23rd in India, will be completed in a year's time. He said the Park will be able to handle 2000 containers a month, to be enhanced to 5000 at a later stage. He informed that the Cold Chain facility will be made available in Sindhudurg.
In his speech, South Goa MP Narendra Sawaiker demanded the speedy completion of Chandor road overbridge (RoB) and the shifting of KR's Commerical Department from Mumbai back to Margao.
Those present for the function included Cuncolim MLA Rajan Naik, Benaulim MLA Caetano (Caitu) Silva, Kepem MLA Chandrakant (Babu) Kavlekar, KRC MD Sanjay Gupta among others.
