Raw deal for Karnataka in rail budget: Chief minister

Bangalore, July 3 : The rail budget for the current fiscal has failed to benefit Karnataka as sufficient funds were not allocated for the ongoing projects in the state, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said Friday.

'There is not much in the railway budget for the state barring introduction of eight trains, extension of four trains and upgrading of three stations, including Bangalore,' Yeddyurappa said in a statement here.

The budget has also not provided enough funds for the ongoing railway projects though the state government has allocated Rs.243 crore towards sharing the costs of the projects.

In a pre-budget memorandum to Railways Minister Mamata Banerjee last month, Yeddyurappa had sought train services to many places across the state where railway lines are yet to reach.

'The state government is focusing on developing tier-II cities and other destinations due to increased commutation and travel for employment and education. There is a need to expand train network to meet the demand,' Yeddyurappa said.

Meanwhile, the Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has welcomed the railway budget's focus on improving passenger amenities and for not increasing freight rates and passenger fares.

'The initiatives to provide better medical facilities on long-distance trains, environment-friendly toilets, ramps and special bogeys for physically challenged and senior citizens and ambulance services for passengers in metro cities, women RPF (Railway Protection Force) guard squads are also welcome,' FKCCI president J. Crasta said in a statement here.

The chamber also lauded the budget proposal to increase cold storage facilities for farm products, special corridors for speedy movement of goods and upgrading of 50 stations.

'The expectation of an increase in the carriage of goods traffic is over-ambitious in the context of the ongoing recession. An interesting factor is that the railways have proposed to acquire 18,000 new wagons and develop multi-functional complexes at many stations,' the chambers pointed out.

--IANS