Nellore: Former Union minister Panabaka Lakshmi observed that lack of coordination among Congress functionaries and promises made by TRS government led to the Congress debacle in the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation elections. However, she expressed confidence in the Congress revival both in Telangana and AP. Speaking to media persons here on Wednesday, she took strong objection to the alleged comment of Chandrababu Naidu against Scheduled Castes and advised him not to mix politics and caste issues.
Referring to her efforts to bring railway projects such as 42 km long Gudur-Dugarajapatnam broad gauge railway line, cement sleepers project at Bitragunta and inclusion of Addanki in Nadikudi-Srikalahasthi railway line, she expressed displeasure over the meagre funding for the projects. She alleged that Addanki was deleted from the railway line even after promising to include it when the state government came forward to share the cost during the Kiran Kumar Reddy regime. Ms Lakshmi said that she had written separate letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to sanction funds for railway projects in the ensuing railway budget.
According to the former minister, she sought Rs 100 crore for the Rs 277 crore estimated Dugarajapatnam line, Rs 600 crore for Nadikudi-Srikalahasthi line, which is estimated to cost Rs 1,313 crore besides including Addanki in the line. She urged the PM to incorporate South Coastal Railway Zone for Andhra Pradesh region with headquarters at Vijayawada or Visakapatnam in the railway budget. Recalling her initiative to introduce Simhapuri Express with the help of former railway minister Laloo Prasad Yadav, she lamented over the plight of the passengers due to late running of the train everyday and its inconvenient timings while demanding to restore old timings.
Speaking on the occasion, DCC president and former railway officer Panabaka Krishnaiah said that they are taking steps to form mandal level committees soon. He dwelt at length on development work pertaining to railways grounded in Nellore region following the initiative taken by him and his wife Panabaka Lakshmi in the past. Senior Congress leader C.V. Sesha Reddy, Congress functionaries Chanchalbabu Yadav, Devakumar Reddy, Udata Venkata Rao and Balasudhakar were present.
