Madurai trade, industry hail Rail Budget proposals

Industry and trade bodies in the city have welcomed the Railway Budget 2014-15.

N Jegatheesan, President, Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry described the budget replete with concrete steps to make Indian Railways a strong, responsive and vibrant organisation. The thrust on modernisation, cleanliness, passenger amenities and affirmation of safety are on predicted lines. He also hailed the proposal for Diamond Quadrilateral Network of High Speed Rail connecting the major metros. While welcoming the priority for investment in doubling and tripling to decongest the network, he hoped sufficient funds will be allotted madfor completing doubling of the track between Chenglepet-Villupuram, Villupuram-Dindigul and Madurai-Kanyakumari section of the project, the busiest and most congested in Southern Railway.

SP Jeyaprakasam, President, Tamilnadu Foodgrains Merchants Association, commended the budget for the new projects and schemes, especially the special line for cargo movement, connection to port cities, the intent to provide tanker facility to transport milk throughout the country, to usher in paperless administration, augmentation of passenger amenities, etc. However, he was disappointed that ongoing projects in the region have not received due attention with sufficient allocation of funds for completion.

S Rethinavelu, President, Agrofood (India) Chamber of Commerce and Industry has described the budget as growth-oriented with high ambitions on balancing commercial and social obligations with pro-active and efficacious schemes, hitherto neglected. He, however, expressed disappointment that excluding Madurai – Jaipur premium express, no other trains were announced for southern Tamilnadu, which has less direct train facility to the northern and north-eastern regions of the country. The extension of Jodhpur – Chennai express to Madurai, Bikanir – Coimbatore express to Madurai and Tiruchi – Mangalore express to Madurai have been sadly neglected. VS Manimaran, President of Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Association, urged the Union Government to introduce bullet trains to cater to the South.