/04/2005

To,

Mr.Laloo Prasad Yadav

The Hon’ble Minister For Railways,
Govt-of India,Rail Bhavan,
New Delhi.

Respected Sir,

On behalf of the majority of the rural population living poverty

stricken conditions on the area of My constituency Alibag,Dist.Raigad,State-
Maharashtra in the economically backward area of the Konkan region and
since you are Known to have been a protector and promoter of the poor
masses, I have made myself bold to approach you with a request to cosider
our following suggestion and to implement it as soon as possible.
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The area surrounding Alibag District in the State of Maharashtra has a
good potential for economic development. This region has been gifted with
nature’s beauty like hills, valleys streams,greeneries coconut farms,paddy
field on the one side and sea-shore on the other side. A few reputed
companies like Nitco Tiles,Rashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizer Co. Limited
and few other have set up their manufacturing units an this area. The area is
also known for production of agricultural farm products such as
rice,cereal,vegetables,coconuts,seasonal fruits as managoes,watermelons etc.
Many people are commuting daily between Mumbai and this region.
Now a days a lot of torists are also being attracted to this place
because of its nearness to the city like Mumbai,Navi Mumbai and having
calm and clean beaches like Kihim,Nagaon,Alibag etc. The people residing
in this region have to depend mainly on road and water transport.
However,during the monsoon,the water-transport is closed about 3 to 4
months during which period the conditon of road transport and water
trasport is pathetic. In the absence of econominal and reliable transport
system like Railways the further deveplopment of the region has been
affected.
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affected. The poor farmers residing in this area who produce different type
of agricultural farm products are unable to reach their farm products to the
nearby market like Mumbai. Where ther is a good demand for their products.
As you are aware, railways play an important role in the development
of any region and is considered as the most reliable and cheapest mode of
transport Alibag is very close to Mumbai,it is not connected with rail. There
is a facility of traveling by train from Mumabai,it is not connected with rail.
There is a facility of traveling train from Mumabi Chhatrapati Shivaji
Terminus to Pen ( the distance approx 124 K.m.) There is an existing
Railway line/track of approximately 26 k.m.between Pen Railway staion and
Rashtriya Chemicals and Fertilizers plant at Thal, Tahasil-Alibag.Dist-
Raigad. This Track appears fto the property of R.C.F. and is being used by
them for carrying raw materials and finished goods. The goods traffic on this
line is very minimum,approximately 5 to 6 goods trains ply in a whole day
over this track and for remaining period the track is lying idle. As explained
above,there is a tremendous scope for development of torism industry in this
region which will help in creating direct and indirect employment and in
turn generate income for the local people. When the tourism industry
develops,it will also create a market for the agriculture and farm products
which in turn will help the producers who are poor farmers.
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In view of the above fancts,if the existing rail-line from Pen to Thal
( approx 24 K.m.) which is presently in use of RCF,is opened for passenger
traffic it will be great help in developing this region. Since the RCF is under
Chemical & Fertilizer ministry. This ministry also can play an important role
by giving permission for railway authority to use the rack for public
passengers too.
Thanking you.

Yours faithfully,

( Madhukar Thakur )
M.L.A.Maharashtra