Capital hopes big projects will get push in Railway budget

NEW DELHI: There are expectations that when the rail budget is presented on Wednesday, it would include big projects for the capital, such as the completion of the second phase of the Anand Vihar terminal and construction of a world-class terminal at Holambi Kalan.
But more than that, people are hoping it would include measures to provide better amenities — clean toilets, hygienic food, and better local train facilities.Also on the wishlist are more local trains on Shamli and Palwal routes.
The Delhi division of Northern Railway is hoping that railway minister Dinesh Trivedi will address major projects like the mega railway terminals. “We have upgraded the entries on Ajmeri Gate and Paharganj sides and have completed installing scanners at the New Delhi railway station. We do not want any more longdistance trains as we have already crossed our carrying capacity,’’ said a senior officer, who did not wish to be named.
“We want to install more escalators on the platforms. The waiting lounge and the two new platforms at the New Delhi railway station are already operational. However, a lot of work on the new building at the Ajmeri Gate side is yet to be commissioned,” said a senior official at the Baroda House, headquarters of Northern Railway. “The Anand Vihar terminal is likely to become busier with introduction of more trains,” he said.
Among the other major projects are the laying of the fifth and sixth line up to New Delhi station. Other projects include the expansion of the Minto Road bridge. “The expansion plan has now been sanctioned by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Once the budget allocates funds, we hope to complete the work by next year,” said a senior engineer of Northern Railway.
Northern Railway sources said work on new terminals at Holambi Kalan, Bijwasan and Shakurbasti has picked up pace after land on which these terminals would come up was identified. “Hopefully, the budget will allocate adequate funds so that constructions at these sites could begin in a phased manner,” said an official. The dedicated eastern freight corridor from Rewari to Dankuni and the survey for new railway lines from Meerut to Panipat and Rewari-Palwal-Khurja may also figure in the minister’s speech.
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