The Railway Budget for the current year is due to be announced on Wednesday, even as barely 40 per cent of the promises made in last year’s budget remain unfulfilled. The much-hyped AC Duronto Express between Secunderabad and Vishakapatnam, which was to run thrice a week, has not materialised. The strengthening of the suburban railway system of Hyderabad-Secunderabad by implementing six projects under the MMTS Phase-II is yet to see the light of day.
Although new railway lines between Nadikudi-Srikalahasti, Gudur-Dugarajapatnam and Guntur-Tenali have been sanctioned, estimates are yet to be drawn up and therefore no work has begun on these as well. Turning Secunderabad and Tirupati into world class railway stations, proposed two budgets back, also remains in the realm of fantasy.
The wagon workshop which was to come up in Kazipet remains only on paper only. “The project is stuck because land is not available. Also the proposed multi-functional complex at Secunderabad station is yet to come up,” said a senior railway official. Meanwhile, the Kerala Samiti has lobbied for a new train from Hyderabad to Kerala. “At present tickets have to be booked three months in advance. The biggest problem lakhs of Malayalees face today is transport. The Sabari Express that runs between Hyderabad and Trivandrum is the only train currently,” said Libby Benjamin, chairman of the Kerala Samiti.