merisarkar news service New Delhi, November 11, 2011
42 trains already introduced: Trivedi
Railways have announced commencement of 26 new trains including one Shatabdi, three Rajya Rani and two Kavi Guru Express in keeping with the announcement during the Rail Budget.
In the Railway Budget 2011-12, the government announced introduction of 132 new trains, extension of 33 trains and increase in frequency of 22 existing trains.
"Of these, 42 new trains have already been introduced. There were extension of services of 24 trains and frequency has been increased of 13 trains," Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi said in New Delhi on Friday.
The 26 trains will be flagged off by local public representatives within seven days, said Trivedi.
Railway Minister also announced extension of eight trains and increase of frequency of five trains.
Pune-Secunderabad Shatabdi Express, Jaipur-Kamakhya Kavi Guru Express, Nilambur Road-Thiruvanathapuram Rajya Rani Express, Jharsuguda-Bhubaneswar Rajya Rani Express, Porbandar- Santraganchi Kavi Guru Express and Damoh-Bhopal Rajya Rani Express are among the 26 trains to commence operation shortly.
"Whatever has been committed in the budget we will fulfill that for sure," he said.
Asked about the fate of thousands of pending projects, Trivedi admitted, "There are many pending projects worth Rs one lakh crore lying but we do not have resources to execute them. Some projects are even more than 30 years old. We have to take a final view on it. My view is that the government should declare them as national projects. Because there is no point in granting them meagre funds of Rs 1 lakh or Rs 2 lakh in every budget."
However, Trivedi said there are certain projects which are not economically viable but "socially viable and we cannot abandon them".
