Madhu Yaskhi hails Railway Budget

March 2, 2007 on 4:23 am | In The Hindu |

To petition Lalu Yadav seeking higher allocation for Karimnagar-Nizamabad rail line

NIZAMABAD: Member of Parliament Madhu Goud Yaskhi hailed the Railway Budget saying that it has been framed keeping in view the interests of the common man and middle-income classes.

Talking to The Hindu over phone from New Delhi, he said reduction in freight charges and passenger fares and introduction of private wagons were most welcome. These measures would certainly help reduce prices of essential commodities, he felt. He went on to say that there were several steps in the Budget for the improvement of cleanliness, sanitation and facilities for passengers at the stations. It was proposed to upgrade and modernise 300 stations as against just 50 in the last Budget, he said.

However, when it came to the State and Nizamabad district, Mr. Goud did not conceal his displeasure saying that it was “most disappointing” and obviously not “up to the expectations”. “It is not at all acceptable because it has not proposed to increase rail connectivity to the backward region,” he said.

Top of all, the reduction in allocation in the budget to the Karimnagar-Nizamabad railway line was highly “objectionable”, he said and added that just Rs.35 crores was allocated to the said line as against Rs.40 crores in the previous budget.

“I will go to the Railway Minister to strongly appeal to him to increase the budget to this line and to undertake survey on Bodhan-Bidar new line,” said Mr. Goud.