In a move to highlight the need to set up a railway zone in Andhra Pradesh, Srikakulam MP Rammohan Naidu from the TDP is all set to introduce a Private Member’s Bill in the upcoming winter session of Parliament.
Earlier this month, the Lok Sabha Secretariat gave consent to Rammohan to introduce a Private Member’s Bill on the railway zone for Andhra Pradesh with Visakhapatnam as its headquarters.
The MP had written a letter to Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan seeking permission to introducing the private bill in the name of Railway Zone Act 2017. If the bill gets accepted, the parliament has to initiate action within three months.
Speaking to local media MP Rammohan Naidu said, "Though very few private bills have been successful, I have decided to bring the seriousness and importance of the railway zone matter to the notice of the Union government as the Centre is showing poor response to the issue."
A railway zone would help create employment in the state and would also expand transport facilities. The separate railway zone for Andhra Pradesh was included in the 13th Schedule of the AP Reorganisation Act. The state government had suggested that the railway zone would be established by clubbing Waltair, Vijayawada, Guntur and Guntakal divisions.
P Muralidhara Rao, National General Secretary of BJP , who was in Vishakhapatnam told the media that their party is committed to its promise to create a railway zone for Andhra.
Speaking to TNM, Visakhapatnam MP K Haribabu of the BJP reiterated the party stand that it was keen on establishing a railway zone in Visakhapatnam.
"According to the AP Reorganization Act, the government of India shall examine the establishment of the railway zone in the state," Haribabu said, adding, “Even now we stand for the establishment of the Railway zone in the state. We will support his bill in the Parliament, which will help to draw the union government's attention."
Haribabu, who is also BJP’s state president said, "We ( BJP & TDP) leaders will work together to pressurise the union government to take a decision on Special Category Status and the railway zone.”
Meanwhile, Haribabu denied speculation of cracks in the coalition between the ruling TDP and the BJP. "We have met with railway ministry earlier, now also we are again meeting to further the matter," he pointed out.
Rammohan Naidu's office confirmed to TNM that the TDP Parliamentary Committee is taking place in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the developments.