Date:28/02/2007 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2007/02/28/stories/2007022800022100.htm

Back `Not much focus on southern districts'

Our Correspondent

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Madurai Feb. 27 There was a mixed reaction from trade and industry to the Railway Budget 2007-08.

While welcoming the move to improve passenger amenities and introduce new trains, there is disappointment over the failure to announce new projects for the southern districts.The Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in a statement, said, the Railway Minister has earned the admiration of all, manifesting once again his unique dexterity in presenting a cash-surplus budget without affecting the passengers. At the same time, it has pointed out that the new daily express train between Coimbatore and Nagercoil should have been extended to Mumbai to enable southern Tamil Nadu gain the benefits of the Konkan project.

The budget is dispirited as far as the State is concerned, as there is no mention of doubling of the BG line in Kanyakumari-Madurai-Chennai sector. An annoying factor is the absence of any mention about the Madurai-Kottayam BG line project. The Tamil Nadu Foodgrains Merchants Association, in its statement, while welcoming the proposals , has appealed to the Minister to restore the classification of foodgrains and pulses to Class 90, so that people are protected from the escalation of prices of essential commodities.

The Madurai District Tiny and Small Scale Industries Associationhas welcomed the introduction of triple stack container service and expressed its disappointment that the doubling of the track between Madurai and Tiruchi has found no mention. The reduction of Re1 on passenger tickets is just an `eyewash', it further said.