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Now, I come to the projects which are pending in Karnataka. One is Hassan-Mangalore project. Then, there is project of doubling from White Field in Bangalore to Jolarpet junction. I would request that these projects and also the other projects which are pending, should be taken up at the earliest. About one project in my constituency, when I met the hon. Minister, he had assured me that he had directed the Director (Works) to take up this immediately. Since the part work is over, if the remaining work is not completed, the earlier work will be of no use. Already Rs. 80 crore have been spent and another Rs. 70 crore are needed to complete this project. Then, the South will be connected to the North-East up to Guwahati from Chennai. This is to be taken up. We have been waiting for this sum of Rs. 70 crore for the last four years, and Rs. 80 crore already spent would be of no use if we do not complete this work. I think, the Minister has appreciated it and he himself studied the project. He had told that he had directed the concerned officer, but till today, no instruction has gone to the General Manager, Southern Region, Chennai. I approached him and he told me that he had not received any instruction. May I request the hon. Minister to kindly again instruct the concerned officer to take up this work because he himself is concerned about it? I have placed before the House important priority issues and this needs to be taken care of.

Sir, this year is declared as the Customers’ Satisfaction Year by the Railways. Regarding projects, not many new projects have come up during this Financial Year. Regarding the project perspective also, there is a philosophy expressed in the Budget of 2002-03 wherein the hon. Railways Minister had stated:
"I have decided to allot funds for the plan-heads new lines, doubling, gauge conversion, electrification etc., for projects in different States based on a clear and transparent formula, so that the available resources are distributed in a manner which can be considered fair and just… "

Introduction of five new trains has been announced and I welcome it. But still there are several projects pending in Tamil Nadu. Chennai-Kanyakumari double line as a broad gauge one is a long pending demand. As such a stretch of 2,000 kms of railway track in Tamil Nadu continues to remain as metre gauge even after your massive gauge conversion scheme. I am afraid it is only in Tamil Nadu a vast stretch of railway line is awaiting gauge conversion. I would like to draw your attention to the meagre allocation of about Rs 40 crore to Tamil Nadu in the Southern Railways. I would like to point out that it is improper to make such a small allocation. As pointed out by members who spoke ahead of me the gauge conversion work must be given utmost priority. Only then it would be paving way for the introduction of new trains linking different parts of Tamil Nadu with the rest of the country. Both the Southern Railways and the Railway Ministry have stated recently that more of revenue accrues to the railway by way of operating passenger trains than goods trains. In my opinion people resort to trucks for freight movement than using goods trains because of delay caused due to non-availability of double track. Chennai-Kanyakumari double lane would augment the freight movement by rail. For instance, a huge freight carrier came to Tuticorin port last month. Most of the goods were to be sent to North frontier regions and North Eastern States. Most of the goods were transported by trucks. Only a few tonnes of these goods were transported by the goods train operated by the Southern Railways. The reason cited was that the freight movement by train causes inordinate delay. There is another bottleneck here. Dindigul-Madurai section is yet to be converted into a broad gauge line. This affects the direct movement of trains between Chennai and Kanyakumari or Chennai and Tuticorin. When gauge conversion has been taken up in a big way in many States why this vital link between Dindigul and Madurai is yet to be attended to? I would like to point out that this comes in the way of introducing new passenger and goods trains and providing direct link to several parts of the country. I urge upon the Railway Ministry to take up immediately the gauge conversion between Dindigul and Madurai and double lane between Chennai and Kanyakumari. I read in newspapers recently that railways have started paying attention to the ongoing gauge conversion work between Madurai and Rameswaram after they received a letter from the President of India. I would like to point out here that it is not enough to complete gauge conversion work between Madurai-Manamadurai and between Manamadurai and Rameswaram. A better link to Rameswaram would be possible only when you complete the gauge conversion work in Dindigul-Madurai section. Even to operate a train from Coimbatore to Rameswaram it is essential.