Latest news with #RailwayBoard
Time of India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Kerala Railway Projects: CPM MP urges rail minister to reject move to surrender Kerala project funds, ET Infra
Advt Advt Communist Party of India (Marxist) MP John Brittas has written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Railway Board, requesting them to reject the Southern Railway 's move to surrender funds allocated for projects in Kerala in the 2025-26 separate letters addressed to Vaishnaw and the Railway Board chairman, Brittas has expressed strong objection to a proposal submitted by the Southern Railway through a letter dated May 14 to surrender a substantial portion of the funds allocated in the budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 for the Angamali-Sabarimala and Tirunavaya-Guruvayur railway has urged for immediate intervention to discard the Southern Railway's recommendation and ensure continued financial support for these crucial projects in the southern state."These projects, envisaged decades ago, remain unfinished due to persistent institutional apathy, despite their strategic, economic, and socio-cultural significance," Brittas said in his letter addressed to termed the move a blatant continuation of the long-standing neglect of Kerala's railway infrastructure and emphasised that the Angamali-Sabarimala line is of national significance given the magnitude of the Sabarimala pilgrimage , while the Tirunavaya-Guruvayur line is vital for improving connectivity in northern pointed out that the Southern Railway has also proposed surrendering funds for projects in Tamil Nadu, revealing a broader pattern of bureaucratic disregard for long-standing railway demands in south India."The decision to surrender funds, ironically justified by citing a 'frozen' status, amounts to a perpetuation of neglect rather than an attempt at rectification. It is pertinent to note that the very status of these projects as 'frozen' is symptomatic of the broader pattern of railway discrimination against Kerala, where critical demands are either delayed or denied," the Left leader requested the minister to issue directions to the board to reject the Southern Railway's recommendations in this regard and instruct the authorities concerned to ensure the continuation, acceleration and proper funding of these long-pending projects."Kerala cannot be expected to wait indefinitely for basic rail infrastructure," he said.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
Now, Vande Bharat to connect Bhopal with Patna & Lucknow
Bhopal: Two new Vande Bharat train services are likely to commence operations from Rani Kamlapati railway station (RKMP) to Patna and Lucknow, significantly reducing travel time between these destinations. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bhopal railway division officials said that the service will enhance connectivity between the capital cities of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, offering improved interstate travel facilities. The Patna-bound Vande Bharat service will be allocated to Patna railway division. Both Bhopal and Patna railway divisions are to finalise operational arrangements. Schedule and pricing details will be announced after service allocation. RKMP and Patna are separated by roughly 1005 km. While existing services like Agartala Express and other superfast trains require 18 to 20 hours, the semi-high speed Vande Bharat, travelling at up to 160 kmph, will complete this journey in 12 to 13 hours. Currently, direct rail connections from Bhopal and RKMP to Patna are restricted to Agartala Express and Saharsa Weekly Express. Passengers travelling to Bihar must use multiple connections on other services. The additional Vande Bharat service will address issues of long waiting times and queues. Passengers will benefit from direct, comfortable, and swift transportation, enhancing their travel experience. The Railway Board's allocation is expected shortly, with services likely to begin within two months. The Bhopal division completed all required operational preparations. The Vande Bharat Express linking Bhopal and Lucknow will reduce journey duration to 6-8 hours from the present 10-12 hours. The train comprises eight coaches, offering AC chair car and executive class accommodation. The service incorporates the Kavach Protection System for safety and consumes 25% less electricity. Presently, over 10 trains operate between these cities via indirect routes, taking 10-12 hours. The new Vande Bharat Express will decrease travel time and efficiently handle passenger traffic
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Congress MP objects to Railway Board's proposal to freeze Madurai-Thoothukudi (via Aruppukottai) new railway line project
Virudhunagar Member of Parliament B. Manickam Tagore has raised strong objection to the Railway Board's proposal to freeze sanctioned funds for Madurai-Thoothukudi (via Aruppukottai) broad gauge new line project. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Congress MP said that he was deeply concerned over the Railway Board's decision, as per its communication dated May 14, that proposed to freezing and surrender of funds sanctioned for Madurai-Thoothukudi (via Aruppukottai) Phase II broad gauge line project for which ₹55.1667 crore had already been allocated under 2025-26 Budget. The project was originally approved in 2011-12. It held tremendous strategic and socio-economic significance for Tamil Nadu, especially for the underserved districts of Madurai, Thoothukudi and Virudhunagar. The project promised enhanced connectivity, economic revitalisation and employment generation in backward regions that have long-awaited this vital rail link, the letter said. 'It is disheartening that despite clear progress — most notably the successful completion and commissioning of the 18-km stretch of new railway line between Milavittan and Melmarudur in March 2022 — the project is now being pushed towards abandonment through administrative freezing. This decision contradicts the vision of inclusive development and commitments made to the South Tamil Nadu,' the MP said. After administrative sanction was granted for land acquisition, 350 special posts were created to support the implementation of the project. However, these sanctioned staff have reportedly not received salaries for over a year and the Ministry of Railway have given concurrence for the disbandment of these posts. 'This is unjust to those involved and shows a systemic withdrawal of support for a project already in motion,' he added. During the State Finance Ministers' meeting held in June 2022, Tamil Nadu's Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu had explicitly urged the Union Government to allocate funds to this official infrastructure initiative. The State Government has been pro-active in seeking support and coordination from the Centre for this project. The Congress MP sought intervention of the Prime Minister against the Railway Board's proposal of freezing the project and sought resumption of it ensuring that the earlier investments were not wasted. The Prime Minister should also reinstate the sanctioned posts and ensure disbursal of pending salaries and ensure appropriate and timely-budgetary allocation for the project to reach completion without further delay.
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
CPI(M) MP opposes railways' move to surrender funds for projects in Kerala
New Delhi, Communist Party of India MP John Brittas has written to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and the Railway Board, requesting them to reject the Southern Railway's move to surrender funds allocated for projects in Kerala in the 2025-26 budget. In separate letters addressed to Vaishnaw and the Railway Board chairman, Brittas has expressed strong objection to a proposal submitted by the Southern Railway through a letter dated May 14 to surrender a substantial portion of the funds allocated in the budget for the Financial Year 2025-26 for the Angamali-Sabarimala and Tirunavaya-Guruvayur railway lines. He has urged for immediate intervention to discard the Southern Railway's recommendation and ensure continued financial support for these crucial projects in the southern state. "These projects, envisaged decades ago, remain unfinished due to persistent institutional apathy, despite their strategic, economic, and socio-cultural significance," Brittas said in his letter addressed to Vaishnaw. He termed the move a blatant continuation of the long-standing neglect of Kerala's railway infrastructure and emphasised that the Angamali-Sabarimala line is of national significance given the magnitude of the Sabarimala pilgrimage, while the Tirunavaya-Guruvayur line is vital for improving connectivity in northern Kerala. He pointed out that the Southern Railway has also proposed surrendering funds for projects in Tamil Nadu, revealing a broader pattern of bureaucratic disregard for long-standing railway demands in south India. "The decision to surrender funds, ironically justified by citing a 'frozen' status, amounts to a perpetuation of neglect rather than an attempt at rectification. It is pertinent to note that the very status of these projects as 'frozen' is symptomatic of the broader pattern of railway discrimination against Kerala, where critical demands are either delayed or denied," the Left leader said. He requested the minister to issue directions to the board to reject the Southern Railway's recommendations in this regard and instruct the authorities concerned to ensure the continuation, acceleration and proper funding of these long-pending projects. "Kerala cannot be expected to wait indefinitely for basic rail infrastructure," he said.
India.com
5 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
This is the only Indian state that provides advanced facilities to railway passengers, not Delhi, UP, Maharashtra, MP, Karnataka, name is....
Indian Railways: When we think of getting the facilities of the three high-tech trains of Indian Railways, the names of states that come to mind are Delhi, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. But the fact is that Bihar is the only state in the entire country where the facilities of the Vande Bharat Express, Amrit Bharat Train, and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail are being provided. Dilip Kumar, Executive Director of Information and Publicity in the Railway Board, said that the Vande Bharat Express, Amrit Bharat Train, and Namo Bharat Rapid Rail are the Triveni of the modern railway system. Bihar is the only state that has services of all three categories of trains. 2 Amrit Bharat Trains In Bihar Kumar said that apart from Vande Bharat Express, two Amrit Bharat trains are being operated in the state for the convenience of the passengers. The first Amrit Bharat Express runs from Darbhanga to Anand Vihar and the second one provides service from Saharsa to Mumbai. Namo Bharat Rapid Rail India's second Vande Bharat Express train is now running between Jaynagar and Patna, a senior railway official announced. Simultaneously, Bihar is undergoing extensive railway station upgrades under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, focusing on 98 stations. Two stations, Pirpainti and Thawe, have already completed renovations. PM Modi Inaugurated 103 Amrit Bharat Stations Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently opened 103 railway stations nationwide as part of the Amrit Bharat Station development initiative. Ongoing renovations under this scheme encompass several key stations, including Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga, and Muzaffarpur. 'The stations where work is currently going on under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme include stations like Patna, Gaya, Darbhanga and Muzaffarpur,' Kumar said.
