Dattatreyya seeks Rs 50 Cr for MMTS - TeluguPeople.com News

New Delhi: Union Labour Minister Bandaru Dattatreyya called on Railways Minister Suresh Prabhu here on Wednesday and thanked him for providing full funds of Rs. 141 crores for completing the last mile connectivity of Peddapally-Karimnagar-Nizamabad new rail line project.

Dattatreyya impressed upon the Railway Minister to issue necessary directions to the Zonal Administration to quickly finalise major tenders for earthwork and bridges work so that the funds allocated for the projects could be fully utilized in this year.

The Labour Minister also drew the attention of Railway Minister towards the other two important projects in Hyderabad/Telangana Region which could be completed in a time bound manner if the necessary funds are allocated. These are - MMTS Phase-II and Akkannapet-Medak new rail line, for which only Rs. 8 crore and Rs. 5 crore respectively were allocated for this year. Both the projects are executed on cost sharing basis and low cost, short gestation projects.

The Railway Minister was requested to allocate at least Rs. 50 crores for MMTS Phase-II and sufficient funds for Medak-Akkannapet line based on the works on hand so that these two projects can be progressed expeditiously.

Suresh Prabhu assured that depending on the provision made by the State Government for these projects in the State Budget, commensurate funds would be made available from the Railway side during the course of the year. As two-third of the cost for MMTS Phase-II is to be borne by the State Government, he requested the Labour Minister to take up with the State Government for sufficient funds in their Budget.

The Railway Minister also added that priority was given in this Budget for the projects, which are on the verge of completion by allocating funds for completion of the same. However, if the State Government of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana feel that any other projects are to be given priority, they may come forward to share the cost of these projects. Necessary support will be given from the Railways for arranging the balance funds. In this connection, Railway Minister promised to hold a separate meeting with the Members of Parliament of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

Dattatreyya also taken up with the Railway Minister regarding sparing of discarded PSC sleeper lying along side the railway track, on no cost basis for protecting about 70,000 irrigation tanks being taken up for improvement by Government of Telangana under Mission Kakatiya and Water Grid Project. He also mentioned that he has written to Ministers K.T. Ramarao and Harish Rao to take up with Railways on the subject.

The Railway Minister has appreciated this idea and assured that necessary instructions will be given to the Zonal Officers to cooperate with State Government in this regard.