The Minister of Railways Shri Lalu Prasad has projected the need for assured additional allocation of funds for national railway projects in Jammu & Kashmir and North Eastern region and mega bridge projects. In his meeting with the Deputry Chairman, Planning Commission, Shri Montek Singh Ahluwalia, to review the 2006-07 Annual Plan and Budgetary Support for enhanced railway investments, the Minister projected a requirement of Rs. 4092 crores for important railway projects in the North East and Jammu and Kashmir, mega bridge projects at Bogibeel in Assam, Munger bridge over Ganga, Patna bridge over Ganga and Kosi bridge as well as for the Sudoor Gram Sampark Yojana. He further said that the progress in J&K on the Udampur-Kashmir project has been very satisfactory and an accelerated allotment of funds would be necessary.
Progress made on the Dedicated Freight Corridor was also discussed in detail during the meeting. It was decided that both the corridors i.e. Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi -Howrah would be processed simultaneously. It was agreed in principle that the project will be supported, if necessary, through Government of India funds and necessary procedural requirements completed at the earliest.
It was also recognized that the development of traffic on the container route from Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust, Mumbai (JNPT) to Delhi and northern region would be faster. Issues pertaining to the introduction of competition in train operation as well as necessary policy documents, which are in final stages, were also discussed in the meeting.
The Planning Commission acknowledged improved Railway finances, enhanced internal generation and would consider Indian Railways’ requested for enhanced infrastructure investment through continued budgetary support in a positive light.
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(Release ID :13807)