Chandigarh, August 5 –In the direction of fulfilling the commitment of Haryana Chief Minister, Mr Manohar Lal for providing better rail connectivity to the people of the state, Jind-Hansi New Rail line project has been approved at a cost of Rs 923.26 crore. The project will be completed in a period of 4 years.
The Finance Minister, Capt Abhimanyu informed that the proposal was approved in a meeting of Standing Finance Committee- C in which Public Works (B&R) Minister, Rao Narbir Singh was also present.
He said that Jind-Hansi New Rail line project has been developed by Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HRIDC). It is a Joint Venture between Ministry of Railways and Government of Haryana. The proposed line starts from existing Jind Station on Delhi-Bathinda Railway line and ends at existing Hansi Station on Bhiwani-Hisar Railway line. The construction length from Jind to Hansi will be about 50 km.
The Finance Minister said that the construction of this line will provide direct and fast connectivity between Jind and Hisar as the travel distance will be reduced to about 50 Km only. It would help in faster transportation of agricultural produce and fertilizers in this rural belt.
Capt Abhimanyu said that the project would greatly help in social and economic development of this region as well as its adjoining areas. There will be 8 Railway Stations on this line, including two existing Stations of Jind and Hansi and six new Stations i.e. Intel Kalan, Rajpura, Narnaund, Madha, Kherigagan, Sheikhpura. The total cost of the project is Rs. 923.26 crore. The share of Central and state government would be Rs 415.46 crore, HRIDC share would be Rs 253.90 crore and Rs 253.90 crore as debt from NABARD.
The Finance Minister directed MD, HRIDC to pursue the matter with Ministry of Railways on priority basis so as to get the approval from the Government of India urgently. The grant amount of Rs. 415.46 crore would be shared equally by Government of Haryana and Central Government. Haryana Government will contribute its share of 51 per cent in the equity of HRIDC i.e. Rs.129.489 crore and the balance 49 per cent share i.e. Rs. 124.411 crore would be contributed by Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
He said that debt of Rs. 253.90 crore as soft loan would be arranged to the HRIDC from NABARD or other financial institution by the State Government and the repayment of debts and interest would be repaid by HRIDC.
Others present on the occasion included Additional Chief Secretary, PWD (B&R), Mr Alok Nigam, Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Mr TVSN Prasad, SFA Finance, Mr Sunil Saran, Managing Director, Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation, Mr Dinesh Chand Deshwal and Director, Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation Dr. Ravi Gupta.