BANGALORE: Terming the rail budget as “not so encouraging” for Karnataka, Chief Minister D V Sadananda Gowda said that Union Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi has not sufficiently responded to the state’s demand over introduction of new trains and taking up new projects. “Karnataka deserved more as it is the first state to come forward to share 50 per cent of rail project costs. The railway minister should have been liberal to Karnataka in taking up new projects and introducing new trains,” Gowda said on Wednesday.
“The state had requested to sanction 7 new projects and introduce 18 new trains. But not a single new line has been given to Karnataka where the entire cost is borne by the Centre,” he said.
While welcoming the decision to set up a coach manufacturing unit at Kolar, Gowda took exception to Trivedi’s rider. “Two new coach factories have been announced — one in Kutch, Gujarat, and another in Kolar. Strangely, while the one in Gujarat is to be fully funded by Centre, they (the Centre) expect us to bear substantial cost of the Kolar Coach Factory.”
The CM also welcomed the decision to refer Gadag—Haveri, Gadag—Wadi, Chikballapur—Puttaparthy, Srinivasapura—Madanapalli routes to Planning Commission for appraisal.