EXTRACT FROM "THE HINDU" on 11th-Jan'13
Even after two decades of its launch, the Peddapally-Nizamabad railway line (of about 200 kilometres) designed to be laid through Karimnagar-Jagityal-Metpally, Kammarpally-Morthad-Armoor is not yet complete.
The then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao laid the foundation to the prestigious project intended to shorten distance between north Telangana district and Delhi, way back in 1991.
Originally, the Nizam government...
more... planned to construct this line and accordingly proposals were formulated in 1946. The proposals were submitted to the Planning Commission by the Indian Government in 1976. In 1991 some amount was earmarked in the Railway Budget for the line survey.
After six years of its launch, a 28 kilometre line was laid and by 2001, the line was clear till Karimnagar. Thereafter, a goods and a passenger train were run on trial basis. The passenger train was run for some time and as it had poor patronage, it was stopped. In 2007, a railway track was laid till Jagityal, by 2009 it was clear to Morthad in the district. Still 43 kilometre line remains to be constructed costing an estimated Rs.500 crore depending on the present cost escalations.
The line after the revised time schedule would have to be completed in 2012. However, with fund allocations in bits and pieces every year in the Railway Budget, it remains where it was. Fund for land acquisition is the major hindrance for its completion. If the line is completed, it will reduce the railway traffic on different railway routes.
Though there are many important leaders like G. Venkata Swamy, M. Satyanarayana Rao, K. Chandrasekhar Rao, Ch. Vidyasagar Rao, K.R. Suresh Reddy, D. Srinivas and Madhu Goud Yaskhi hailing from the area located on this train route, they appear to be least bothered on the completion of the line. As a result, the project was not allocated the fund on full scale.
The following are the details of budgetary allocations so far made: In 2002-03 - Rs.10 crores, 2003-04 - Rs.23 crore, 2004-05 - Rs.29 crore, 2005-06 - Rs.18 crore, 2006-07 - Rs.60 crore), 2007-08 - Rs.34 crore, 2008-09 - Rs.52 crore), 2009-10 - Rs.43 crore, 2010-011 - Rs.120 crore and 2011-012 - Rs.90 crore.
People of this area still nurture the dream of having the railway line between Peddapally-Nizamabad and keep urging the government to allocate sufficient funds for its completion. Manohar Reddy, former member of SCR Advisory Board said leaders from the area did not pursue the matter seriously.
Will it be completed atleast with this years budget ?????
