Even as BJP hailed the railway budget, some of its regional allies expressed unhappiness over exclusion of their regions.
While BJP-led NDA’s second largest constituent Shiv Sena said the extended suburbs of Mumbai have been left out, its southern ally the PMK was displeased with inadequate projects for Tamil Nadu.
“Thane has got nothing. There was a demand to make Thane a world class station and this was announced by then Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee some three years back. The project has not taken off.
“My constituency has places like Mira-Bhayander, Thane and Navi Mumbai, which requires better infrastructure facilities. In next budget, we (Maharashtra MPs) will fight and take our share,” Shiv Sena MP from Thane Rajan Vichare said.
Vichare represents a constituency which has satellite cities covering all Western, Central and Harbour Railway stations.
Raju Shetti, leader of the Shetkari Sanghatan, whose party is in alliance with the BJP in Maharashtra said he was unhappy with the budget as it has nothing to offer to his constituency. He, however, emphasised that strong action was required to bring the railways back on track.
“Personally the budget was disappointing as it had nothing for my constituency. But the steps taken by the railway minister were essential to strengthen the public carrier,” Shetti, who represents Hatkalangne constituency in Western Maharashtra, said.
Meanwhile, PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss expressed his dissatisfaction over the railway budget, saying Tamil Nadu has not been adequately represented.
“There are not many trains. Also, necessary fund allocation for existing projects has not been made. In particular, the project pertaining to linking Morappur with Dharmapuri did not find its place,” he said.
However, the PMK leader welcomed the initiatives of modernisation of railway and other features announced in the railway budget today.
–PTI