"We have requested the Planning Commission for enhancement of gross budgetary support for Railways. Pradhan Mantri Rail Vikas Yojana (PMRVY) is also proposed to be launched for taking up socially desirable projects," Railway Minister Mukul Roy today said at the Consultative Committee meeting here.
Acknowledging fund constraints, Roy said there is throwforward of about Rs 1,50,000 crore for ongoing new lines, gauge conversion and doubling projects.
He said Railways is presently able to provide about Rs 10,000 crore to Rs 12,000 crore to these projects annually.
"Due to limited availability of resources, funds are distributed over large number of projects and Railways are not able to achieve the desired level of progress," he said.
Roy said that in order to garner extra funds for the projects, railways have requested the state governments to share the cost of the projects falling in their respective states.
He also said that many states have come forward in this regard and at present there are 35 projects which are under execution on cost sharing arrangement and some remunerative projects are proposed to be executed through Public Private Partnership.
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However, he said that in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan Railways has taken giant leap in construction of new lines, doubling and gauge conversation with total length of 10,285 kms as well also 4556 route kilometre was done during this period.
In 2010-11 and 2011-12, Railways has constructed 709 km and 727 km respectively of new lines, which is almost 4 times the average annual progress since independence, Roy claimed.
MPs participating in the meeting, requested for expediting the work of various pending projects on doubling, gauge conversion, foot over bridge, road over bridges. Some Members also requested for various halts and stoppages of certain trains.