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*SHRI P. MOHAN (MADURAI): Hon"ble Deputy Speaker Sir, I thank you for the opportunity you have provided me to take part in this discussion on supplementary demands for grants for Railways 1999-2000. I would like to bring to the notice of the Hon"ble Railway Minister certain points pertaining to South of Tamil Nadu and my Madurai constituency in particular. Considering the increased rail-traffic and the ever growing need to augment the rail services to link Chennai with Kanyakumari, laying of double line is necessary. As such double line is there upto Chennai. But there is a definite need to have double line between Chennai and Kanyakumari. Hence I urge upon the Railway Minister to take up the project to ensure double line between Chennai and Kanyakumari. Likewise there is an urgent need to restore many train services that were stopped or withdrawn when gauge conversion work was on. All such trains that were running must be restored. In our constituency Gujarathi, Maratha and Sourashtra people live in sizeable number. When I was speaking to our Railway Minister, she said that there are good number of Bengalis living there. I welcome it. Hence I want to emphasize the need to introduce a train between Kanyakumari and Jodhpur. Likewise the train that runs between Howrah and Tiruchirappalli should be extended upto Madurai. There used to be a train running between Madurai and Tirupathi. Due to gauge conversion that has been withdrawn. Lots of passengers and pilgrims used to depend on that to go to Tirupathi and beyond. Hence I urge upon the Railways to restore this train service between Madurai and Tirupathi now as an express train. There used to be several day express trains between Chennai and Madurai. Some of them are to be restored yet. Koodal Express and Mahal Express rail should have services extended further.
">After independence how many new railway lines have been constructed? How many of our villages have been connected by railways? How many new lines have been completed and made operational. The answer is "negligible". The construction programme of new lines is going on at a snails pace for want of adequate funds.
">Coming to Andhra Pradesh, it is the State which is in second position after Punjab in paddy cultivation. It has been exporting coal to all parts of the country. It occupies a prominent place in cement production. It also occupies an important position in the import export trade of the country. It occupies the first and foremost place in the information technology sector. And yet it is far behind other States in development of Railways in the State. Even 50 years after the country achieved independence in 1947 only a mere 229 route kms were added in the State. It is highly unfortunate. Our State has been meted out stepmotherly treatment even in the matter of gauge conversion. 1015 kms of metre gauge lines are yet to be converted to broadgauge.
">Angul-Sukinda Rail route deserves immediate attention of the Railway Ministry. At least a sum of Rs. 100 crore should be provided in the ensuing Railway Budget.
">Haridaspur-Paradeep Railway route of 78 kilometres of length is another priority area which should be looked at in right earnest.
">Last but not the least is the conversion of narrow gauge to broad gauge. During the last 52 years of Independence, nearly 8,000 kilometres of gauge conversion was effected in India but not a single kilometre of gauge conversion from narrow gauge to broad gauge was done in Orissa. I would request the hon. Railway Minister, through you, Sir, to convert the narrow gauge lines, Rupsa-Bangiriposhi and Naupada to Gunupur via Parala Khemundi to broad gauge lines. These two narrow gauge lines should be converted to broad gauge lines quickly.
">Gauge conversion work between Palanpur and Samkhiyali will be very important from our national point of view because it can connect the Capital directly to Kandla. The whole of north India would be connected with Kandla by broad-gauge if a section of the Palanpur-Samkhiyali is made Broad gauge. The Kandla Port Trust has come forward to be a partner in joint venture. So, the Railways will not have to more burden on this conversion work. The only thing is that this requires to be expedited.
">Similarly, the gauge conversion is going on between Maliya-Miyana and Wankaner. It also requires to be speeded up. Then, Kandla Port can be connected with the whole of Saurashtra.