Title - Kotla promises to get more railway funds for State

Union Minister of State for Railways Kotla Jaya Suryaprakash Reddy has said that he would make all out efforts to secure more funds for the State in the railway budget to take up pending projects.“It is a fact that State has been given short shrift by successive governments in terms of new projects. This time, I will make a determined effort to ensure that the State gets a lion’s share in the Railway budget,” Mr. Reddy told reporters on Saturday after his arrival at Secunderabad railway station from Vizianagaram.The Minister said there were 39 projects to the tune of Rs. 17,507 crores pending for the last few years.He would be available in the city on November 10 for the elected representatives to meet him and discuss the railway issues related to their constituencies.A meeting would also be convened at Jubilee Hall shortly in consultation with the Chief Minister, he said.Mr. Reddy said he would strive to see that the State gets Rail Coach Factory. “I will also impress upon the Railway Board to merge Waltair Division of East Coast Railway into South Central Railway. There is also demand to create Balaji division comprising Rayalaseema districts,” he pointed out.Replying to query, the Union Minister said he would start playing active role in the State politics.