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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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
