Kerala got better deal than previous years

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 26 (UNI) Welcoming the ''passenger-friendly'' rail budget, Kerala, which got one 'Giarib Rath' and a Wagon factory noted that the state had got a better deal than in the previous years.

Reacting to the budget, Chief Minister V S Achutanandan said the state had found a place in the Railway Industrial map after a long time with the announcement of a wagon factory at Chertala in association with the Steel Industries Kerala Ltd.

The state government had discussed with Railway Minister Lalu Prasad about the wagon factory and ''it is a welcome to note that it was included in this year's railway budget,'' he said, adding it would generate employement.

Hailing the decision not to increase the freight rates and the five per cent cut in the freight rates on diesel and petrol, he said these would help the state in arresting the price hike and the reduction in passengers fare would help the common man.

Asked if the state had got all that was demanded, Mr Achutanandan said Kerala had demanded two trains, one to Mumbai and another to Bangalore.

The Thiruvananthapuram-Lokmanya Tilak (Terminus) Garib Rath Express would be very helpful to the Keralites in Mumbai. So as a whole, some of the demands of the state were agreed upon in one way or the other, he added.

Mr Achutanandan also welcomed the inclusion of electrification of Thrissur-Guruvayur and Thiruavananthapuram- Kanniyakumari section and to run the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore Maveli express daily.

State Law Minister M Vijayakumar, who is also in charge of railways, said the Railway budget had given the state a 'better deal' than earlier years.

''We had got a better deal this time and the establishment of Wagon factory is most welcome one,'' he said.

Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly Oommen Chandy said the Railway budget had given a great relief to the state.

The electrification of two rail lines, the Gharib Rath and the survey for a new railway line were all welcome. It was the combined effort of Defence Minister A K Antony, Union Overseas Minister Vayalar Ravi and the MPs from the state, which had helped to get some relief in the Rail budget, he said.

However, former Minister of State for Railways O Rajagopal said the budget did not address the state's demands.

The MPS from the state had failed to pursue the Centre to get the demands, he added.

UNI