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ShareBangalore: Mamata Banerjee's railway budget for 2009-10 has evoked mixed response in the state. It has not done enough to meet the expectations of people of Karnataka, chief minister BS Yeddyurappa said.
The introduction of eight new trains, extension of four existing railway lines, and the starting of survey work for six new railway lines had provided only some consolation for the state, he said. "Karnataka is the only state that has come forward to share the cost of railway project. We have provided Rs243 crore for this in the state budget. Still, the railway budget has not fulfilled some of the major demands. The demand for Shimoga-Mysore inter-city express and restoring the train services that were suspended when gauge conversion work was under way between Bangalore and Arasikere section have not been fulfilled," he said.
In her budget speech, Mamata made no mention about the Tumkur-Chitradurga-Davangere line and Dharwad-Belgaum-Bailhongal line. "The budget has not brought any satisfaction. It has not done enough to set right the injustice meted out to Karnataka in the earlier budgets. So it has brought mixed feelings of happiness and displeasure for me," he said.
Even the business community complained of many long-time demands remaining unfulfilled."The railway budget shows a step-motherly attitude towards the state. We have been demanding for a new railway line between Bangalore and Mangalore via Hassan. This would have benefited the exporters as they can have a container service from the port," said Crasta J, president, Federation of Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He added that the many coffee growers and the people involved in jewellery business were expecting this line for a long time and it was disappointing that their demand still remained unfulfilled. The demand for a train from Hubli to Kolar had been pending for the last 15 years, even though the chief minister had promised to give Rs346 crore to the Railways for the projects.
Shekar Viswanathan, vice-president, Bangalore Chamber of Industry and Commerce, felt that the budget was a fair one. "There is a little bit for every segment of the society. It is an inclusive budget. The decision to provide infotainment and medical service in the long-distance trains is good. This is what we need."
AS Kodanadapani, an urban planner, said that the super fast trains introduced in the state would help in reducing traffic in the highways. Not just the road traffic, even the air traffic wouldswitch over to trains. More investors would come in if there is better transport facility.
