Koshiyari doing nothing for rly line to Kumaon: Satpal Maharaj

Dehradun, November 3
Garhwal MP and Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee for Defence Affairs Satpal Maharaj has accused BJP Rajya Sabha MP Bhagat Singh Koshiyari of making no efforts towards ensuring laying of foundation stone for the Bageshwar-Tanakpur railway line in the Kumoan region of the state.

Addressing a press conference in Dehradun, Satpal Maharaj said while he had successfully ensured that the Rishikesh-Karanprayag railway line project in Garhwal went in right direction, Koshiyari had so far done little to bring railway line to Kumaon. He warned Koshiyari to avoid resorting to misleading campaign on Rishikesh-Karanprayag line.

Maharaj said the BJP rather owed an explanation to the people of Uttarakhand as to why the Backward Regions Grant Fund was not being utilized in the state. He accused the Uttarakhand BJP government of failing to utilise central funds.

He disclosed that Congress president Sonia Gandhi would be reaching Karanprayag on November 9 to lay the foundation stone for the railway line.

He said the new railway line would ensure all round development of the hills. He said the Rishikesh-Karanprayag railway line would also help in highlighting the lesser-known tourism destinations of the state apart from the Char Dham. He said coming up of the Railways in the state would open new employment opportunities for the youth.