Chief minister Naidu sets targets for railway projects in Andhra Pradesh

Vijayawada: As the Union govt is ready to spend Rs 72,000 crore for railway infrastructure development in the state, chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu directed the officials to set timelines for the completion of all pending projects. Naidu set a target of three years for the projects in which tender allotment was completed and four years for the completion of doubling projects.In a review meeting with railway and state govt officials, Naidu reviewed the progress of individual projects taken up in the state. He inquired about reasons for delays in execution and suggested solutions to overcome the same. Criticising the previous govt, Naidu said that all railway projects came to a standstill because of the faulty policies of the YSRC govt.The chief minister assured that the NDA govt will take all measures to resolve land acquisition issues to expedite the execution of the project works. He said that a task force with railway, revenue, and R&B officials will be established for continuous monitoring of the progress of execution. He directed the officials to complete land acquisition for the Kotipalli-Narsapur railway line within four months. Naidu also agreed to allocate Rs 20 crore for the acquisition of 11 acres on the Nadikudi-Srikalahasti route.Naidu emphasised completing the 401 km doubling works on the Guntur – Guntakal line within 12 months. He set a target to complete the development works taken up at 72 stations with a cost outlay of Rs 3,170 crore within two and a half years.Directing the officials to come up with comprehensive plans on new routes, Naidu suggested integrating road, rail, and air networks in the state to yield good results. Minister B C Janardhan Reddy, railway officials, and state govt officials participated in this review.