Title - State in for setback in rail development: LDF

Says State failed to present its case
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The Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) has said that the State’s railway development is in for a major setback as the State government has failed to present the State’s case effectively before the Centre.In a statement here on Sunday, LDF convener Vaikom Viswan said though most other States had presented their demands before the Centre months ago, the State government had done nothing of the kind.At the time of the first United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government supported by the Left, the State had received a good deal.The promise of a ‘peninsular zone’ given to the State at the time was yet to become a reality.

Wagon factory:The proposals for setting up a wagon factory in Cherthala and coach factory in Palakkad were also hanging fire. No different was the fate of the proposal in the 2010-’11 budget for a railway medical college and a coach depot at Nemom in the 2011-’12 budget.The State was badly in need of better railway infrastructure, particularly doubling of several lines, construction of road over bridges, and electrification of key lines. Equally important was the need for securing MEMU services for the State.The UDF government had not shown any interest in raising these issues before the Centre. Although it was quite late now, the government should exert pressure on the Centre on these issues, Mr. Viswan said.