Raw deal in Union Budget : No new fund allocation for Waltair Division

 Visakhapatnam: The Union Government has not given any priority to the Waltair Railway Division in the 2019-20 budget proposals. 

Though the entire Andhra Pradesh people are eagerly waiting for announcement of railway zone with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters, the government sanctioned Rs 1,773.27 crore for ongoing works in the division and sanctioned Rs 111.25 crore for new works to be taken up in 2019-20 fiscal. 

Construction of lines and track doubling works are going on in the division for which the government sanctioned Rs.941.58 crore funds to continue the works in the next fiscal. 

Another major component is Trans Renewals at a cost of Rs 289.98 crore and Rs 143.58 crore funds for other ongoing works in workshops including production units. 

The government sanctioned major component of Rs.72 crore in the budget for track renewals (new works) in the budget. 

The other sanctions are Rs 8 crore for road safety works at level crossings, Rs 1 crore for bridge works and Rs 1.5 crore for signaling and telecommunications. 

“In fact, in the wake of massive demand of railway zone with Visakhapatnam as headquarters, we have also expected that the division will get a good share of funds for various projects and other sops to pacify the Andhra Pradesh people. 

The sanction of Rs 1,773.27 crore for ongoing works is very important to complete the works in the given timeline. 

However, the government may review and changes the allocations in the budget proposals,” a senior official of Waltair Railway Division opined.