After NDA came to power at the Centre in 2014, the execution of railway projects in Karnataka improved compared to Congress-led UPA regime, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal informed Lok Sabha on Wednesday .
Average annual Budget allocation for infrastructure & safety works, falling fully/partly in the state of Karnataka, during 2014-19 has increased to Rs 2,702 crore, from Rs 835 crore (during 2009-14). Thus, the average annual budget allocation for 2014-19 is 224% more than average annual budget allocation during 2009-14, the minister said.
Replying to a question by BJP MP Shoba Karandlaje, the minister said total proposed Budget Estimate (BE) outlay for infrastructure & safety works, falling, fully/partly in the state of Karnataka, in 2021-22 is Rs 3,897 crore, which is 367% more than average annual Budget outlay of 2009-14, he said.
The minister further said, during 2014-19, a total of 735 KM length of tracks (253 KM new lines and 482 KM doubling projects) falling fully/partly in the state of Karnataka, has been commissioned which is 30% more than the commissioned during 2009-14 (565 KM). During 2019-20, 172 KM length of Doubling has been commissioned which is 52% more than average commissioned during 2009-14 (113 KM/year), the minister said.
The minister also said that the electrification of Kadur-Chikmagalur section is at tender stage.
To a question on when these projects will be complete, the minister said completion of railway project(s) depends on various factors like quick land acquisition by State Government, forestry clearance by forest department shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities. “Though the exact time to complete the project would be difficult to tell, every effort is being made to execute the project(s)expeditiously and early commissioning, the minister added.
(Published 24 March 2021, 15:59 IST)
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