Stalin urges PM Modi to expedite rail projects in TN, seeks release of pending funds
Chennai (PTI): Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Sunday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking his urgent intervention to direct the Ministry of Railways to expedite sanctioned projects in the state by releasing required funds and reviving those kept in abeyance.
Stalin highlighted that the progress of several crucial railway projects is being hindered by "delays in releasing funds by the Ministry of Railways" and the practice of providing partial funding for individual projects.
He noted that while the state government has granted administrative approval for acquiring 2,500.61 hectares for various federal railway projects, the Railway Department is yet to allocate funds for 931.52 hectares, an official release said.
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"The delays in releasing funds and the piecemeal allocation... have hindered the progress of railway projects in Tamil Nadu," the chief minister stated, adding that this has created a state of "prolonged uncertainty" for affected landowners.
Stalin pointed out that land acquisition is 94 per cent complete for 19 major projects, with 1,198.02 hectares already handed over to the Railways. He specifically cited the 'Thiruvananthapuram-Kanniyakumari Broad Gauge Doubling' project as a case where 16.86 hectares of land acquisition remains stalled because the Railways has not yet released the necessary Rs 289.78 crore for compensation.
The CM urged the Prime Minister to ensure that funds for sanctioned projects are released "in full and on a priority basis" to facilitate smooth land acquisition. He also requested the "reconsideration and restarting" of key projects currently in abeyance, including the Thoothukudi–Madurai (via Aruppukottai) and the Tindivanam–Tiruvannamalai broad gauge lines.
Emphasising Tamil Nadu's role as India's second-largest economy, Stalin expressed concern over the "relatively low" allocation for new railway projects in the state in recent years. He called for additional projects commensurate with the state's "economic stature and developmental needs".
"I am confident that, with your intervention and with the continued spirit of cooperative federalism, these concerns will be addressed promptly for the mutual benefit of the state and the nation," the letter said.
Stalin assured the Prime Minister of the state government's full cooperation for the "speedy execution" of all railway projects.
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Bihar hooch tragedy toll rises to nine as three more persons die
Motihari (PTI): The toll in the hooch tragedy in Bihar's East Champaran district rose to nine on Sunday after three more people who had consumed spurious liquor died, officials said.
The first death was reported on Thursday, they said.
A total of 15 people have been arrested in connection with the deaths in the Turkauliya and Raghunathpur areas of Motihari, District Magistrate Saurabh Jorwal said.
A case of murder has already been registered on the basis of complaints filed by the family members of the deceased, police said.
Jorwal said one person is still in the hospital and his condition is reported to be critical.
"Seven persons have already been discharged after treatment," he told PTI.
"The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem examination. The exact cause of the deaths can only be known after the reports arrive," he said.
The SHO of Turkauliya police station has already been suspended on charge of dereliction of duty, and a special investigation team has been constituted to probe the incident, officials said.
The deaths have led to a political slugfest in the state, where the sale and consumption of alcohol has been banned since 2016.
