Centre allocates Rs.4185 Crore for railway infrastructure in UP

Centre allocates Rs.4185 Crore for railway infrastructure in UP

New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh seems to be on the Modi government’s development radar with the railways allocating Rs 4,185 crore in 2015-16 for various projects, including construction of new lines and doubling of tracks in the politically crucial state.

Though assembly elections are due only in 2017, the focus on upgrading rail infrastructure reflects the BJP’s keenness to wrest power in the sprawling state. The BJP has not only been out of power in the state for more than a decade but has been relegated to third or fourth position. However, UP was crucial in BJP’s impressive show in Lok Sabha polls in 2014 as the saffron party managed to win 72 seats.

Minister of state for railways Manoj Sinha, who hails from UP, said, “The current allocation is 454% more than budget outlay for the last year.” The allocation is also the highest in the last 10 years.

More than 15 new projects related to doubling of rail tracks were sanctioned this year as against six projects in 2013-14. The state saw an increase of 65% in fund allocation (Rs 576.51 crore) for upgrading passenger amenities over last year’s outlay.

The state-run transporter has sanctioned construction of 123 road over-bridges and road under-bridges during the current fiscal as against just nine in 2014-15.

The state has got the lion’s share as far as electrification works are concerned with Rs 806 crore being allocated for the purpose compared to Rs 280 crore last year.

The allocation for works related to traffic facilities has been increased by 106.83% to Rs 249.83 crore compared to 2014-15. These works will increase the speed of trains and will make it possible to run more trains.