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Sir, now look at the following figures. The required amount for the completion of the ongoing railway projects for the doubling of railway line spread over eight sections in the State is Rs.225.93 crores but the Budget allocation is a mere Rs.53.60 crores. With this meagre amount, none of the projects could be completed. For example for the doubling work of the Mavelikkara-Chengannur, Kollam-Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode-Mangalapuram the requirement is Rs.26 crores, Rs.33.12 crores and Rs.76.25 crores respectively but the allocation is only Rs.5.60 crores, Rs.2.00 crores and Rs.10.00 crores respectively. The doubling of rail line in the State is most important. For the full utilization of the Konkan Railway for increasing the number of trains in the northern part of the State in tune with the ever increasing passenger and freight demand, the doubling in the sector of Shornur-Kozhikodu is a must. The Eranakulam-Mulanthuruthy sector which was scheduled to be completed in the 2003-04 period should have to be simultaneously taken up and completed along with Shornur-Kozhikodu sector.

For a comprehensive development of the Railway facilities in these areas, the most important work is the doubling of lines. The on-going projects of rail doubling from Kayamkulam-Ernakulam via Kottayam and Alappuzha have to be expedited, and adequate funds be allocated in the present Budget itself. Apart from that, more funds should be allocated to the electrification. Also, a new survey project Kayamkulam-Panalur via Adoor sector has to be introduced.

Sir, the Railways had allotted STD booths on the platforms to physically challenged persons. There are approximately 6,000 such booths under operation in the country. Thousands of disabled persons and their hapless families are dependent on these telephone booths. During the tenure of the previous NDA Government, the Railways took a decision to float open tender for manning these booths keeping just two per cent reservation for the handicapped. This is most inhuman. It shows how insensitive our system is. It is not justifiable by any means. So, I strongly demand the restoration of the previous status and withdrawal of the decision for floating open tender.

Once again the Karnataka State is completely neglected in Track Doubling projects. Bangalore-Hubli Track Doubling is a long-standing demand for the last many years. Once again, this demand is not given its due attention. Even the Bangalore-Tumkur Doubling project as meagre of Rs. 16/- crores is provided. Compared to the Doubling projects taken up in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh and other northern States Karnataka is not only let down seems to be treated step-motherly. I would like to draw attention of Railway Minster through you, Sir, a newly formed SWR zone having the administrative jurisdiction over most the part of the State is not enthusiastic in sending the proposals of this projects and convinced the Railways for speedy approval and implementation of the projects.