Title - Funds crunch hits gauge conversion work

NAGPUR: The the project to convert 654-km narrow gauge tracks to broad gauge in Nagpur division of South East Central Railway (SECR) has been hit by funds crunch. The work needs Rs 1,400 crore at today's prices but has been allocated only Rs 95 crore.The various sub-projects are being implemented since past six-seven years and all are far from completion. The pace with which gauge conversion is moving, it may take over two decades to complete. The four gauge conversion projects include Nagpur-Chhindwara (147 km), Jabalpur-Nainpur (110 km), Chhindwara-Nainpur-Balaghat (217 km) and Chhindwara-Nainpur-Mandla Fort (180 km)."The Jabalpur-Nainpur gauge conversion has been completed in 40 km patch till Sukrimangla. On Nagpur-Chhindwara route, work for a 750 metre tunnel between Chhindwara and Saunsar patch is in progress," said divisional railway manager (DRM) S L Verma told reporters on Thursday.If individual projects are considered, Jabalpur-Gondia-Balaghat section is estimated to cost Rs 1,030 crore. Of this, Rs 620 crore have already been spent. "We still need another Rs 400 crore," said Verma. Similarly, the cost of Chhindwara-Nagpur project is Rs 585 crore. The SECR has spent Rs 207 crore till date and needs another Rs 370 crore. However, a provision of only Rs 40 crore has been made. In 182-km Chhindwara-Mandla Fort section, Rs 700 crore is required, Verma added.Explaining the delay, Verma said gauge conversion was being carried out in remotest parts where it is difficult to transport equipment. In some sections like Balaghat and Nainpur, acquiring forest and private land was an issue. He said these projects could not be implemented on either public-private partnership (PPP) or build-operate-transfer (BOT) basis.Considering the pace of these projects, conversion of Nagpur-Nagbhid section will be a dream. It is yet to get Planning Commission clearance. The SECR is also thinking developing 13 km narrow gauge patch between Bimalgondi and Kukdikhapa as a heritage site."We are asking Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (MPTDC) to develop this route for tourists by separate narrow gauge alignment. The SECR headquarters have given a go ahead to implement the idea. This was one of the issues in the meeting with Madhya Pradesh chief secretary and railway officials on Thursday," Verma said.