Suresh Prabhu lays foundation stone for rail projects in Gujarat

Suresh Prabhu informed reporters that fund allocation for development of railway infrastructure in Gujarat is among the highest.

Surat, Feb 5: Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu today laid foundation stone for several projects in Gujarat and said the budget allocated for development of railways in the state has been increased "significantly."

Among the projects for which he laid the foundation stone include gauge conversion of Dhasa-Jetalsar section of Bhavnagar division of Western Railways, construction of 35 road under bridges across Gujarat and infrastructure facilities for BCNHL wagons in Vadodara's Pratapnagar workshop.

Meanwhile, the Minister inaugurated routine overhauling depot for train engines at Gandhidham, locomotive stimulator at Sabarmati and launched 'Disha mobile app'. "Laid foundation stone and dedicated to nation a host of rail infra passenger amenities across Gujarat at Surat," Prabhu tweeted.

"Budget allocation for Gujarat has been stepped up by 578 per cent. We have significantly increased spending on infra creation in all states," he said in another tweet. Prabhu told reporters that fund allocation for development of railway infrastructure in Gujarat is among the highest.

"Especially for Gujarat, we have allocated so much fund that it never be compared with any thing else. It has been increased five-six times and this will help complete several projects pending since several years," Prabhu said. "We have also taken up the work of electrification (of Railways) across the state. We have undertaken gauge conversion across Gujarat on a large scale," he added.

PTI