Mahesana

Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhu today launched works for 7 railway projects across Gujarat.

Prabhu who was on visit to Mahsana town in north Gujarat laid foundation stones for three new railway line projects. They include Vatva – Ahmedabad third line, Somnath – Kodinar railway line and Modasa – Shamlaji(Rs 675 crore outlay this year) new railway line.

Prabhu also launched doubling project for Surendranagar – Rajkot broad gauge railway line.

He laid stone for gauge conversion projects of Mahesana – Taranga hill, Miyagam – Samlaya and Bhuj – Naliya railway lines.

Outlay for Taranga hill – Mahesana gauge conversion for ear 2016-17 is Rs 200 crore. Outlay this year for Bhuj – Naliya 101 km gauge conversion is Rs 100 crore.

Surendranagar-Rajkot doubling project cost is Rs 1002.39 crore while Miyagam-Samlaya gauge conversion work is going to be done at a cost of Rs 845.66 crore. Bhuj-Naliya guage conversion project will involve Rs 321.63 crore cost. Somnath – Kodinar new railway line project will involve Rs 394.5 crore cost. Modasa-Shamlaji new railway line cost will be Rs 108.46 crore. Cost of third line between Vatva and Ahemdabad’s Kalupur railway station will be Rs 39.78 crore. Mahesana-Taranga hill section gauge conversion will attract cost of Rs 194.64 crore.

Prabhu said Surat and Gandhinagar railway stations will be redeveloped in Gujarat. First bullet train will start operating by 2023. Separate railway track for goods train will be laid by 2020. Prabhu said soon his ministry will start the first railway university in Vadodara. Around 35 more rail projects in Gujarat were being worked upon. He also said that the high speed train project would bring speed to the development of the region.

Prabhu said that first time in the history of the Indian rail, the provision for an investment to the the tune of Rs one lakh crore was made in the last budget. It would be increased to Rs 8.50 lakh crore in the next five years.

The Minister said that the government at center understood the needs of the people. Its priorities include development through the railway. If the railway moves ahead, the country will follow suit.

Prabhu met state Chief Minister. Later speaking to media persons he said a single window project under which the passengers can book even bus or taxi for further journey to destination will be implemented in Ahmedabad.

Prabhu said that in the next five years the tune of investment in railways would be increased to 8.50 lakh crore.

Prabhu who was here to participate in the Vikas Parv Sammelan of the ruling BJP to celebrate the successful completion of two years of its rule at center and in Gujarat, laid the foundation stones of seven projects instead of earlier announced eight.

He would now lay the foundation stone of the electrification and gauge change of the rail track between Mahesana and Ahmedabad tomorrow through video conferencing from his office in New Delhi. A function would also be organized at Ahmedabad railway station.

Minister of state for Agriculture Sanjiv Baliyan, Gujarat Health Minister Nitin Patel and General Manager Western Railway G C Agrawal were also present on the occasion.

– DeshGujarat