Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, along with Union Minister of State for Railways Darshana Jardosh, presided over a high-level meeting, which discussed efficient coordination between the Center and the State government in order to implement important railway projects, including Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed (MAHSR). The meeting, held in Gandhinagar, stressed that with proper cooperation, Gujarat will get the benefit of the ‘Double Engine Government’ and so the state should be able to complete the projects within the stipulated time period.
PM Narendra Modi has frequently used the term ‘Double Engine Government’ to signify the benefits of having the BJP rule at the Center and at the state level. He has often used this term in BJP-ruled states during his campaign rallies through since 2014.
Meanwhile, Jardosh expressed gratitude for the state’s cooperation in having completed the acquisition of 5% land under Ahmedabad-Mumbai High Speed Rail.
CM Patel advised developing an institutionalized system that will be aimed at resolving and prevent any issues related to Central and State Railways, through mutual coordination. He said, “We must create an atmosphere where pending issues related to railways between the states and the Center can be resolved through mutual understanding and discussion.”
In this regard, Patel suggested that Chief Secretary, Pankaj Kumar, set up an institutionalized system for various issues, including Dedicated Freight Corridor, State-Center Partnership in Railway Overbridge. He also said that a performance review-follow-up meeting should be held each month at the level of Chief Secretary between railway and state government officials.
Applauding the suggestions, Jardosh said that these meetings will be fruitful in promoting swift coordination for high speed rail project, gauge conversion of various railway lines in the state and railway overbridge as well as tackling of small and big issues of electrification.
The meeting was attended by Revenue Minister Shri Rajendra Trivedi, Roads and Housing Minister Shri Purneshbhai Modi, Minister of State for Urban Development Shri Vinodbhai Mordiya as well as Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Shri Kailasanathan, Chief Secretary Shri Pankaj Kumar and senior secretaries of state government and Ministry of Railways and Western Railway. Senior officials of FIC were also present.
