Telangana has faced a disappointing outcome in the latest railway budget, with the much-anticipated coach factory at Kazipet, promised under Andhra Pradesh Re-organisation Act, not even mentioned. Despite a total allocation of Rs. 2,62,000 crore for railways, projects specific to Telangana were notably absent.
In the interim budget presented in February, the central government allocated Rs. 5,071 crores to Telangana, a figure that has seen only a slight increase to Rs. 5,336 crores in the full railway budget, leading to accusations of neglect.
During a virtual media conference from Delhi on Wednesday, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that 100 per cent of railway network electrification work has been completed in Telangana, along with the construction of 437 ROBs (Road Over Bridges) and RUBs (Road Under Bridges). He also mentioned that 40 stations in the state would be developed as Amrit Bharat Stations. The construction of new railway tracks in Telangana is estimated to cost Rs. 32,946 crores.
In contrast, Andhra Pradesh has fared better, with an allocation of Rs. 9,138 crores in the interim budget for railway development, followed by an additional Rs. 9,151 crores in the full budget. Vaishnaw highlighted that 73 new railway lines have already been completed in Andhra Pradesh, and 73 stations