Rail development in TS gets a big boost

Rail development and infrastructure in Telangana has recently got a boost. A host of rail infra work took off and a new express train was flagged off on Wednesday. The rail link between Karimnagar and Mumbai, a weekly express was extended and the train has also come into operation.

Minister of state for Railways, Rajen Gohain, who was in the city, laid the foundation stone for various rail works, passenger amenities and flagged off the newly extended Karimnagar – Mumbai LTT weekly express from the Secunderabad Railway Station.

Some of the infrastructure work that have been given the green signal, include, the third railway line in Manchiryal – Peddampet Section. An Electronic Passenger Guidance System at the Malkajgiri Railway Station, additional platforms at (1&2) at the Arts College MMTS Railway Station were also introduced.

The foundation stone was laid for the third railway line in Kazipet–Kondapalli Section and for a new Foot Over Bridge at the Lallaguda Gate Railway Station. The foot over bridge at Bolarum Railway Station will be extended, while the Secunderbad railway station will get new lifts on platform numbers 6 & 7, while Begumpet will get two lifts (on PF No. 1 & 2).

The foundation stone was also laid for 2 escalators (on PF No. 1 & 6) at Lingampalli railway station, an escalator (on PF No.2/3) at the Kazipet Railway station. As part of the redevelopment of Warangal Railway Station, it is likely to get an extended Foot Over Bridge.

Rajen Gohain said, “Around `1,813 crore has been allocated for rail development in Telangana in the 2018-19 budget, which is eight times higher than the allocations during the previous government’s reign in 2014-15.”

“During the last four years, 152 kms of new rail line, 76 kms of doubling and third line projects and 44 route kms of electrification has been completed in the state. It is targeted to complete 50 kms of new rail line, 76 kms of doubling and third line projects and 345 route kms of electrification during the current year,” the minister said.

Regarding the long pending MMTS–Phase II project, the minister assured that the ongoing MMTS Phase – II project will get due attention. “With a free hand given to the Railway officials to enhance facilities for passengers, the rail ministry is set to reach out to meet the rail commuter’s needs,” he said.

SCR General Manager, Vinod Kumar Yadav, said that, SCR had registered a growth of more than 12 per cent in originating gross earnings during the current fiscal till August. The works currently being carried out is estimated to cost `2,000 crore.