Telangana projects still off the rails

After three years, none of the railway projects announced by the central government for Telangana state have been implemented.

In the AP Reorganisation act, the Central government has mentioned long-pending demands of Telangana. TS Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao personally discussed this more than once with the Railway ministry and has also written several letters requesting speedy implementation of railway projects in Telangana. As per schedule XIII of the AP Reorganisation act, the central government has assured the setting-up of a rail coach factory in Telangana and a wagon manufacturing unit at Kazipet in Warangal district. In fact before state bifurcation in 2012-13, the central government has sanctioned a wagon manufacturing unit at Kazipet for which the cost was estimated as Rs 152.26 crore. In the twoyear period after state bifurcation, no steps have been taken by the central government to start this project.

Telangana state is demanding a separate railway division at Kazipet, but on this issue too the central government has not taken any action. Telangana state government has informed the Central government that consequent to the formation of Telangana state, there is an urgent need for a new railway division at Kazipet to meet the requirements of the public as well as employees. Apart from this there are many proposals pending with the Central government like new railway lines, new broad gauge lines, electrification of lines and other things.

Also, the Central government has announced the need to develop eight railway stations in Telangana state which will conform to international standards. Union cabinet has approved proposals for development of A-1 and A category railway stations in the country, to international standards.

In Telangana state, Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Kachiguda, Kazipet, Warangal, Khammam, Manchiryal and Nizamabad railway stations were identified to develop to international standards. But no work has been taken up in this regard. The South Central Railway officials said to take up redevelopment works within the railway land, authenticated revenue records like land titles, mutation documents, land plans and others establishing clear ownership of the land in favor of the railways is mandatory.

They said among the eight stations falling within the Telangana state, land records for four stations, Kazipet, Warangal, Khammam and Nizamabad, are yet to be spared by local revenue authorities to the railways. They said that the process of redevelopment entails evaluation of bids, proposals received from the market need extensive study and interaction with the state government. The railway officials said due to noncooperation of local revenue officials, the works are being delayed. They said that they have written to the state government about this.

Telangana state government's special representative at Delhi, S Venugopalachary said that they are bringing pressure on the central government.