Title - State government delaying projects: Kharge

Union Minister for Railways Mallikarjun Kharge said on Saturday that the new railway projects are getting delayed as the State government is slow in sanctioning funds and acquiring land.

After flagging off the Yeshwantpur-Mangalore-Yeshwantpur16565/16566 Weekly Express, Kharge said that the Union government is quick in implementing the railway projects, but the State government is not able to cope up with the Centre in this regard.

The Centre has taken up 13 new railway projects and some are almost complete. Four more projects will be completed in the next four to five months.

For the new railway project, the State had to release Rs 700 crore, but till now only Rs 50 crore has been released with delay in the acquisition of land to lay the new track.

Mangalore-Kadur railway track laying work has been completed and  it will become functional in another two months. Kottur-Harihar route will start in another three months and Kolar-Chikballapur route has completed trials, he said.

Kharge further said, all the projects which were promised by the Central government have been completed, for women safety, Centre is planning to appoint women constables and inspectors.

Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas M Veerappa Moily, Food and Civil Supplies Minister Dinesh Gundurao, Home Minister K J George and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy were present.