We will be really missing the woods for the trees, if we talk about just the railway projects and the funds that Karnataka has got or not got. What we really needs to look at is the fuel economy and what makes the rail traffic, whether it is passenger or freight tick. Today the airports have become like bus stands and road traffic has gone up tremendously because of the good infrastructure.

In such a scenario, we all know that there is always a competition between road and rail. Hence, it is better if for short distance travel one uses the road and for long distances trains. Only those who can afford the luxury of fast travel can use the air traffic. 

As a former railway minister, I firmly believe that it is the revenue that we can generate that should dictate the way railways are run. If it is not generating revenue then all the hue and cry that people create will have no impact on the ministry.

As someone from Karnataka, I can claim credit for being instrumental in bringing the Container Corporation of India to Whitefield, the loco shed and electrification from Jolarpet to Bangalore. I introduced broad gauge in many parts of the country and also speeded up the Konkan railway project.

Now who is to be really blamed for the lack of funds and projects? It is of course the state MPs. They have to agitate and demand and it is not mere shouting slogans. They have to go and individually meet the people in the minister’s office, the finance minister, the prime minister, the planning minister and they must urge for the projects to be taken up.

Secondly, the State government should put pressure and make infrastructure available. It should convince the Planning Commission and the railway minister based on economic returns. Besides, the railways have also introduced new zones and the state itself has the South Western Railway, a separate zone and as a result it can apply more pressure from these quarters.

Let us take the example of Bangalore-Mysore doubling that was introduced during my time. The budget for this is based on the volume of traffic. Do we have enough industries on this sector? It is mostly agriculture based.
Crores of rupees investments are made and this is where the viability factor comes into play. However, there is no doubt that trains are any day safer and cheaper alternative.

What is it that one needs to do to get more projects and funds and why is it that we feel neglected? Which are the regions that are really neglected in the state? As we all know it is the freight movement and not the passenger traffic that generates revenue.

For instance, the coal being carried to the Raichur Thermal plant, foodgrains carried from Punjab to different parts of the country, manganese ore from Hospet are all revenue generating.

Hence we need to take up more projects and this is where we should see that the hinterland of Karnataka sees the development. Here is where the infrastructure needs to be developed. The gap for example between Bagalkot-Hubli-Dharwar in the north should be filled up.

It is not that the State government is not aware of all this. When they collect taxes at the toll gate, a clear picture emerges that in the interest of the people and the state, if the same energy is used to give a push to railways, the economy of the state will go up.

In the last four years, after all the majority of the state MPs are from BJP.

Being in the opposition they can shout better. But what the common man does not understand is that we can’t just get up and shout and get things done.

That is why every political party nominates a knowledgeable person who does his home work well and articulates things properly. Besides, it is not that the issues can be taken up only at the time of budget. It can also be done later by going to the Standing Committees and grill the people there. In conclusion, I must say that there is no doubt that it is the State government and the MPs who have let the people down. 

Jaffer Sharief is a former Railway Minister (As told to N Niranjan Nikam)