Karunanidhi asks Centre for new rail schemes in TN

Chennai, Feb 8: DMK President M Karunanidhi on Sunday asked the Centre to announce new rail schemes for Tamil Nadu in the upcoming Rail Budget as sought by Chief Minister O Panneerselvam.

"I request the Prime Minister and the Railway Minister on behalf of the DMK to accept the schemes sought by the Chief Minister on various railway schemes in Tamil Nadu and announce them in the upcoming rail budget," Karunanidhi said in a statement, referring to the Chief Minister's letter to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu on February 6.

Panneerselvam had sought to announce 10 specific schemes in Tamil Nadu and urged for funds for another 22 projects in the state, which were announced in the previous budgets but without fund allocation.

"I also urge that sufficient funds be allocated in the upcoming Rail Budget 2015-16 to 22 schemes for Tamil Nadu, which were announced during previous budgets," Karunanidhi added.

The Rail Budget for 2015-16 is to be presented on February 26.

PTI