Union Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu on Thursday announced that an investment of `8.50 lakh crore would be made in Haryana in the next five years to strengthen the rail network.
He also announced that Railways will soon ink an agreement with Haryana to set up a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the prompt execution of the railway projects. The income generated by this company would be spent on various railway projects in Haryana, said the Union Minister while addressing a gathering after initiating the halt of 12045/12046 New Delhi-Chandigarh-New Delhi Shatabdi Express train at the railway station in Karnal.
Prabhu along with Haryana Chief Minister Manohar lal also laid the foundation stone of additional facilities for rail passengers and facelift of Karnal station and dedicated Barat Ghar for Railway Staff.
The New Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi Express Train would have a halt of two minutes at Karnal railway station. The train no. 12045 New Delhi-Chandigarh Shatabdi Express Train would reach railway station at 20:51 and would leave at 20:53. On return, the train No. 12046 Chandigarh-New Delhi Shatabdi Express would reach Karnal Railway Station at 13:33and would leave at 13:35.
Describing the day as important not only for Karnal, but also for Haryana, Prabhu said that Manohar lal had raised the demand for providing a stoppage of 12045/12046 New Delhi-Chandigarh- Shatabdi Express Train at Karnal Railway Station and now the long pending demand of the people of the area has been realised.
He also assured that a Rail Factory would be set up in Haryana. Though an announcement for the same was made a few years ago, no action was taken in this regard. Now we have reopened the file, held series of meetings and decided to set up a rail factory in the state”, he added.
The Union Minister said that with a view to provide smooth journey to the passengers, it has been decided to develop 400 world class railway stations throughout the country. These would be equipped with latest facilities.
The Union Cabinet has accorded approval for the setting up of these Railway Stations and internet bidding would soon be started for the same, said the Minister adding these would be developed in Haryana also.
He added that the earlier Government used to make announcements only whereas the present BJP Government at the Centre and State believes in executing the works.
While referring to the demands raised by Chief Minister for laying new railway lines, Prabhu assured him that efforts would be made to fulfill all his demands in the interest of the state. The Chief Minister raised demand for Karnal-Yamumunagar railway line, Fatehabad-Mansa-Bhatinda railway line, Jakhal-Ratia-Fatehabad railway line, Bhiwani-loharu-Pilani-Churu railway line, Rewari-Palwal via via Bhiwadi railway line, Delhi-Sohna-Nuh-Ferozpur Jhirka-Alwar railway line and Hisar-Sirsa via Agroha-Fatehabad railway line.
Speaking on this occasion, Chief Minister Manohar lal said that Karnal Railway Station was constructed in the year 1892 and during this period of 123 years that is from 1892 to 2015, no Union Railway Minister visited Karnal. It was for the first time that a Union Railway Minister has come to Karnal.
The Chief Minister informed that the Union Minister Prabhu had decided to start a scheme for Haryana under which an ambulance vehicle equipped with ventilator would be given to each district so as to provide better treatment facility to the patients during the golden period upto the hospital.
He added that a Special purpose vehicle (SPV) would be formed in collaboration with Railways to expedite various rail projects in the state.
While referring to unmanned railway crossings, he said that there were a total of 119 such crossings in the state out of which 15 have been closed whereas the remaining would soon be closed and Railway Over Bridges (ROBs) and Railway Under Bridges (RUBs) would be constructed at their place.
Manohar lal said that Union Ministry has given approval for the survey of 65 kilometer rail line from Farukh Nagar-Charkhi Dadri via Jhajjar and another 65 kilometer new rail line between Hisar and Narwana. Similarly, electrification of 48 kilometer Rohtak-Bhiwani line and Hisar –Ratangarh Kanakwal and Mandi Dabwali Dhanba line.
The construction work of Sonipat-Jind Railway line is expected to be completed by October 2015 at a cost of `741 crore. Apart from this, the work of land acquisition for Rohtak-Meham-Hansi Railway line is in progress. The cost of this project is about `406 crore. Similarly, the process of acquisition of land is in progress for shifting of Rohtak-Panipat Railway line outside the limit of Municipal Corporation, Rohtak. The work of 25 ROBs and RUBs in the state is in progress with an investment of `678 crore, added the Chief Minister.