Will go for elevated rly tracks, eliminate level crossings: CM

Tribune News Service

Ambala, July 21

Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said today that instead of constructing railway overbridges, the government would opt for elevated railway tracks at places where several level crossings were to be eliminated.

He was speaking at the 64th national award function-cum-rail mela organised by the Ambala division of the Northern Railways at SD College, Ambala Cantonment. Various zonal railways and rail PSUs showcased new initiatives, cutting-edge technologies, and innovation by the Railways.

The CM said, “Haryana is the first state where a 6-km-long elevated railway track (in Rohtak) is being built and the work is likely to be completed by January. Following this project, we have received demands from Kurukshetra, Ambala, Jind and Kaithal where level crossings are to be eliminated. The major benefit of the elevated track is that it is convenient and no extra land is required for the project. About 81-km new railway lines have been laid and about 100-km line has been doubled and electrified in Haryana over the last five years.”

Vinod Yadav, chairman of the railway board, said the rail traffic had increased over the last 25 to 30 years, but the infrastructure had not been developed accordingly. “The infrastructure is now being strengthened and facilities are being improved,” he said.

Minister of State for Railways Suresh C Angadi, who presided over the function, said, “Our first priority is to increase the speed of trains as it is less than those in some other countries, including Germany. We are working towards the transformation of the Railways. The network is being strengthened and Rs 50 lakh crore would be invested in it over the next 10 years.”

They presented the letters of appreciation and shield to the general managers of the Northern Railways and North Central Railway, among others, for their outstanding management of Kumbh Mela-2019.

Angadi presented the citation to the Director General, Research, Design and Standard Organisation, for converting a Diesel Loco into Electric Loco. The letters of appreciation were given to the general managers of different zones for their efforts in the electrification of the 5,276-km route in one year, which is a record. They also released a coffee table book on the Kalka-Shimla Hill railway.

Health Minister Anil Vij and Ambala MP Rattan Lal Kataria were present on the occasion.