HP seeks strengthening of railway infrastructure

New Delhi, Jan 16 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has requested the Centre to strengthen railway network in the hill state and provide proper budgetary support in ensuing railway budget to ongoing railway projects in the state.

Mr Singh today met Railway Minister Lalu Prasad and requested him to declare the Bilaspur-Bhanuppali-Beri railway line as project of national importance keeping in view its stragetic location and importance for the development of Himachal Pradesh.

The Himachal chief minister also requested the railway minister to expediate work on Una-Talwara railway line as it would generate massive economic activity in the state as well the neighbouring state of Punjab. However, work on this line had been going on at a snail's pace from many years, he added.

He said broad guage railway line between Una and Talwara would meet the long-pending demand of the people of the region and provide alternative mode of transportation.

Mr Singh stressed on the need for connecting Baddi Barotiwala with Chandigarh through a broad guage line, saying top industrial houses had set up their units in the town that had developed as major industrial hub in North India.

He said a large number of migrant population had shifted to the area seeking jobs/business opportunities and the rail network would go a long way in benefiting them.

Mr Yadav appreciated the state government's demands and said the Centre would provide all assistance to strengthen railways network in HP, as also make efforts to complete railways projects in a time bound manner.

UNI