Dismissing charges of discrimination in allocation of funds and criticism of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, Railway Minister Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday said Railways would not think in terms of “States or constituencies” but focus on “development” of nation as “one unit” and announced that his Ministry has already received proposals worth `15,000 crore for development of various projects under the PPP format..
Responding to a debate in the lok Sabha on the Railway Budget, Gowda said a total of `5 lakh crore was needed to complete the ongoing projects. Gowda said his Ministry’s focus will be on completion of ongoing projects.Defending the recent 14.2 per cent passenger fare hike and 6.5 per cent freight hike, the Minister said that it was the need of the hour as there was no hike for the last 10 years and the organisation was “running on unrealistic and impractical approach.”
“This Rail Budget is a Budget with a difference. I have steered away from populism and focused on increasing revenue, harnessing new technology and safety and security,” he said.“We have received 79 last mile connectivity proposals, 22 private freight terminals, production units, sidings. In total `15,000 crore worth commitments have been received in the recent past,” he said.
The Rail Budget 2014-15 was later passed by the House after a discussion during which Opposition members picked holes in his proposals with States like West Bengal, Orissa, Kerala, Maharasthra and others complaining of meager budgetary allocation in the Railway Budget.Rebutting the charges of “neglect” in allocation of the funds by the Trinamool Congess Party MPs, Gowda said the West Bengal was allocated the highest `3,280 crore followed by Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Bihar.
He said foreign investment will be permitted only in big ticket projects like high speed corridor, dedicated freight corridor and suburban trains.“FDI in Railways is a positive signal to investors. It will be encouraged in railway infrastructure and not allowed in operation,” he said.On his Budget being “anti-poor”, the Railway Minister said while raising passenger fares, he had made all efforts to ensure that common man was not burdened. Sleeper class fare is only one third of what is being charged by bus for same distance, he said.
To the Congress MPs from Kerala who said their State was ignored, Gowda said a joint study group along with State officials will be set up to address concerns and land acquisition hurdles of the State.“We will also like to have a pilgrim circuit in Kerala as it has many famous temples like Guruvayur and Sabarimala,” he said. Similarly, he said a delegation from Odisha also met him and he would soon address their concerns.
Gowda said within four to five years, all States in the North-East region will be lined to the National Capital. He said the North-East has been given 54 per cent higher allocation.Responding to a comment from the Opposition side that he was a RSS man, the Railways Minister said “it should go in record that I am a RSS man”.
Earlier participating in the debate, Ramkripal Yadav (BJP) said Bihar is a backward State and more allocations should be made for completion of all pending projects. He demanded a bullet train connecting Patna for the development of Bihar.Abhishek Singh (BJP) asked the Government to ensure that there is rail connectivity in all Naxal-affected districts of Chhattisgarh.
Srinivas Kesineni (TDP) said the Railway Budget was a “mixed bag” for Andhra Pradesh, which needs a lot of new infrastructure. Jitendra Chaudhury (CPM) opposed Government’s proposal to allow foreign direct investments in Railways.He said all capitals of north eastern States should have rail connectivity and urged the Government to improve safety standards of Railways.Balabhadra Majhi (BJD) asked the Government to provide railway links in different parts of Odisha. Bhagwant Mann (AAP) demanded more railway facilities and connectivity for Punjab.
Members cutting across party lines said in several parts of their constituencies people have not seen trains even after over 65 years of Independence with State of existing railway stations being in dismal shape. Some of them demanded double-decker trains in view of huge traffic of rail passengers with thousands at times traveling on the roof-tops in some States.