Thursday, March 15, 2012

Why Jharkhand is neglected in the Railway Budget


Let me share a small story which happened with me last year. In February 2011 I was travelling to Ranchi from Bangalore and there were college students in my coupe. The train starts at 8:30 AM in the morning from Yeshwantpur which reaches Hatia (a place in Ranchi itself) on the second day at 7:15 PM in the evening. During the day we people were mostly silent and not saying much. By the evening we co-passengers started talking and discussing various things. One topic which we started discussing was the inconvenience of travelling from Bangalore to Ranchi. We all said that how difficult it is to get a ticket in the bi-weekly train; even after booking the ticket one month in advance it is tough to get a confirmed ticket. Also since there are no direct flights this bi-weekly train is the only option for students or take a train/flights from other cities which increases the cost. We know it has been ages since students/working professionals have been coming to Bangalore from Ranchi and even in these 10 years there is no direct connectivity between Ranchi and Bangalore on an everyday basis.

During this rail budget I read North-East complaining that their region has been neglected but there was no such opinion voiced from Jharkhand. I wonder why are the problem of travel from Ranchi to other cities limited only in the train journeys where people discuss this issue. Why there are no newsletters or blogs or stories written about this? Why even media is also not interested in the problems associated with Jharkhand?

I remember when Bangalore Metro (Namma Metro) progress was not happening everyday Times of India would have a coverage asking the govt when the work will get over and how much time will it really take. Now it has been more than 10 years since the Koderma to Hazirabagh line was announced by the NDA government and still we dont know what is the progress in this. There is no media coverage; no follow ups; no updates as to when will this route get the much awaited line.

I wonder how many more years will it take to see a change in Jharkhand. I hope those who have spent 16-20 years in the state of Jharkhand also voice their opinion and make the world realize Jharkhand is no less state in India.

I hope to see a change in Jharkhand and with that hope I have written this blog.

Share your opinion about this :-)