On special demands made by Chief Minister Raghubar Das, Jharkhand will soon get two new Railway lines from Namkom to Kandra and a link line between Lodhma to Piska. Talking to the media persons at his office in Hatia, Divisional Railway Manager of Ranchi Rail Division Vijay Kumar Gupta said that there has been an increase of 14 per cent in the total budget outlay for Jharkhand this year as compared to last year.
“A total outlay of Rs 20,933 crore has been given this year as compared to Rs 20,533 crore last year which amounts to 14 per cent more than the last year allocation,” said the DRM. If average allocation during the period 2014-17 is to be compared with this year, it has been increased by 56 per cent this year, he added.
In addition to that, proposals for the construction two new Railway lines from Namkom to Kandra and a link line between Lodhma to Piska has also been sanctioned for which work will be started soon by August this year, he added.
“Rs 2,180 crore has been sanctioned for 106 km Namkom - Kandra line, while the 17.2 km Lodhma-Piska link line will be constructed involving Rs 428.65 crore,” said Gupta. Both the lines were demanded by the Chief Minister himself, he added.
Putting stress on track renewal, Rs 650.99 crore has been allotted under the head which is also 13 per cent more than the last year.
“There have also been an increase of 107 per cent fund allocation under the head of staff quarter and 56 per cent increase in staff amenities,” said the DRM. 7 per cent increased allocation of budged for doubling of railway line has also been done this year as compared to the last year.
“Doubling of 38 km Telagarhia – Bokaro North Cabin line will also be done involving Rs 390.39 crore,” the DRM said. Approval for the proposal of several new projects like construction of foot over bridges, raising platforms and improvement of stations have also been given and Rs 26 crore has already been allotted for the first phase work, he added.
“A total of 6 foot over bridges and 7 flyovers are to be raised in Jharkhand under this head,” said the DRM.
The DRM further informed that five mechanically interlocking points at Iloo, Turon Suisa, Letemta and Jhimri are to be converted into electronically interlocking points after which the State will have electronic interlocking points everywhere in Jharkhand.
“Two unmanned level crossings at Muri – Chandil and Hatia sections are also be converted into manned crossing after which Jharkhand will have no unmanned crossings,” said the DRM. Referring to Lohardaga -Tori line, the DRM said that it will be electrified paving way for mail and express trains on it, he added.