Punjab Post Daily Online Newspaper & Print Media
Amritsar, August 3 ( Punjab Post Bureau) – : Ferozepur-Patti-Amritsar rail link is hanging fire for the last 3 years because the Railway Board has not yet given final approval to carry out the project. According to Dr. Charanjit Singh Gumtala, patron Amritsar Vikas Manch, he wrote a letter to Prime Minister Sh. Narinder Modi on 15 May2016. On 1st August 2016, he got the reply ,” New Line between Firozpur-Patti (25 Km.) has been sanctioned in the Pink Book 2013-14 costing Rs.147.00 cr. However, the final approval to carry out the work has not been received from Railway Board. After approval from Railway Board further action will be initiated by Zonal Railways.”
In a letter to Mr Shwait Malik, member Rajya Sabha, the Manch leader has appealed to him to intervene in this matter and get the project approved from the Railway board so that work can be started. It may be mentioned that on May 11, 2016, Mr Malik while speaking in Rajya Sabha had alleged that the transport mafia is stalling the long-pending Ferozepur-Patti-Amritsar rail link. He demanded the immediate expediting of work on the crucial connection that would benefit people and commerce in at least six states. According to Mr Malik in the 2013-14 Budget, Rs 147 crore was allocated for this link. Subsequently in 2014-15, Rs 10 lakh and in 2015-16, Rs 20 crore was provided. In the 2016-17 Budget, a provision of Rs 25 crore has been made for the project. The available funds had gone unutilised . It goes to their credit that members of the congress party in the Rajya sabha and members of Akali Dal supported Mr Malik on this important issue.
