August 30, 2008

Rail projects in Karnataka facing delays

BL reported that shortage of laborers, raw material, delay in land acquisition and steep increase in the prices of cement and steel have adversely affected the execution of railway projects in Karnataka.

According to South Western Railway officials, there is no dearth of funds for execution of the projects in the state. But reluctance on the part of contractors to execute small projects, non availability of unskilled laborers and steep increase in the prices of cement and steel have brought about slow progress in the execution of several projects. Since several road projects were being executed, contractors were not showing interest in railway projects.

Mr S Balakrishna chief engineer of South Western Railway said that all sanctioned projects in the state would be completed with an investment of INR 5,000 crore in the next 6 to 7 years. He added that "The railways had taken up 200 kilometer of doubling, 350 kilometer of gauge conversion and 700 kilometer of new railway line. The state government has decided to contribute INR 200 crore in 2008-09 for implementing the projects."

Mr VP Baligar principal secretary at infrastructure department suggested awarding of contracts to big companies such as L&T for expediting railway projects. He added that "Construction companies refused to take up works below INR 500 crore. Establishment of a special purpose vehicle and timely release of funds could also tackle problems in the sector."

In order to provide connectivity, Mr Baligar said that the state has proposed to take up development of railway lines between Gadag to Haveri, Shimoga to Harihar, Talaguppa to Honnavar and Kushalnagar to KR Nagar.

Mr DH Shankaramurthy former minister has appealed to the railway authorities to correct injustice meted out to the state while sanctioning projects and funds. He said old bogies and furniture had been fitted on the Bangalore Shimoga train.