Date:12/06/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/06/12/stories/2004061211410800.htm

Tamil Nadu

Baalu's plea to Laloo

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JUNE 10. The Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T.R. Baalu, has urged the Railway Minister, Laloo Prasad Yadav, to allocate sufficient funds to expedite projects in Tamil Nadu.

These include the completion of the MRTS project, the construction of overbridges near Tambaram on the Velachery - Mudichur road, and between Mambalam and Kodambakkam at Rangarajapuram. He also wanted long-distance trains to halt at Thrisoolam and St. Thomas Mount to ensure better connectivity with Chennai airport. This will also reduce traffic congestion, he said. Mr. Baalu urged Mr. Yadav to ensure construction of an elevated rail corridor between Chennai Central and Egmore stations. Construction of a railway overbridge near Stanley Hospital and two overbridges near Villivakkam were also required. He also wanted an additional track between Tiruvallur and Arakkonam.