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Now, I will dilate for a minute on the projects. There are ten projects in Tamil Nadu for broad-gauge conversion. They are: Rameswaram to Madurai, Trichy to Mana Madurai, Chengalput to Arakonam, Trichy-Nagapattanam-Karaikal, Quilon to Virudunagar, Villupuram to Pondicherry, Thanjavur to Villupuram, Cuddalore to Salem, Villupuram to Katpadi, and Chennai Beach to Chengalput.

18.35 hrs. (Dr. Raghuvansh Prasad Singh in the Chair) These are the ten projects to be converted into broad gauge. The project cost of all these lines is Rs.2,360 crore. All these projects have been sanctioned not now, not by the NDA Government; much earlier, about four to five years back. What has been done so far? The amount that has been spent so far is only Rs.261 crore as against the project cost of Rs.2,360 crore. The amount spent in all these years only ten per cent of the total project amount.

Coming to Rameswaram, you know what an important pilgrim centre it is and what a great potentiality it has got. Everyone of us has asked for its B.G. conversion. If one wants to go to Rameswaram, he cannot go by broad gauge. Take the case of the hon. President of India. The present President of India, His Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, hails from Rameswaram. If he wants to go to his native place Rameswaram in B.G. train from Delhi, he cannot go. That is the situation! Coming to MRT, something has been done. In respect of doubling of Erugur to Coimbatore and Attapatti to Korukkupet lines progress is not satisfactory. In respect of new lines also, not much has been done on Karur-Salem and Nagapattinam-Velankanni lines. Whether in the case of new projects or in the case of doubling or in the case of conversion to broad gauge. There has been neglible progress. In other words, even assuming that there is some progress, it is at a snail’s pace. In many cases it is not at all moving.

Take the case of Rameswaram again. The total project cost is Rs.240 crore whereas the amount spent so far is Rs.5 crore. The amount now given is another Rs.5 crore. At this rate, for how many years do we have to wait? Do we have to wait for another 25 years? I want a specific reply on this point by the hon. Minister, Shri Nitish Kumarji. Kindly let us know when this project is going to be fully implemented. I want to know the timeframe. If you tell us that it will take another 25 years, I will forget about it because many of us may not be alive and available.

The Minister may tell us that there is severe financial crunch. As a student of management, I have been given to understand that anyone problem has got more than one solution. What is the solution that you are offering to us? I want to go by broad gauge to Rameswaram. What are you going to do about it?

You have been given, after a long break of several decades, a lieutenant in the form of a Minister of State from Tamil Nadu. We are very happy about it. He is a young and energetic person. He moves out very fast and tries to do something. But he has been sent empty handed. If a warrior is to go and fight, he must be given enough arms and weapons. Without money, what can he do? You must equip him with enough funds. This is a very important point.