Sachin allots Rs 2 crore from MP fund for FOB revamp
In fact, the status of FOBs was changed from amenities' to necessities' in first meeting held by Mr Goyal a day after tragedy.
Mumbai: Former cricketer and Rajya Sabha member Sachin Tendulkar has allotted Rs 2 crore from his Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund for the revamp of railway foot overbridges (FOB) in the city. The development comes in the wake of a deadly stampede at Elphinstone Road station where 23 lives were lost on September 29.
In a letter to Union railway minister Piyush Goyal, Mr Tendulkar has said that he authorised the suburban district collector to use the money for the immediate revamp and construction of FOBs in Mumbai and its suburbs.
In letter Mr Tendulkar further wrote, “A request that has been made by several experts, passengers and civil society groups. I think there is merit in this request as it will bring dedicated manpower, funds and focus on the suburban network, which ferries millions every single day.”
Ever since the tragedy occurred, the quality of the current FOBs and urgent need for more bridges at almost all major stations have been talking points, and the railway ministry has started working towards the overhaul of current services.
In fact, the status of FOBs was changed from ‘amenities’ to ‘necessities’ in first meeting held by Mr Goyal a day after tragedy.
The letter also asked the railway ministry, Railway Board and zonal heads “to study the possibility of creating two separate independent zones for suburban services.”
Every year, MPs are allotted Rs 5 crore under the MPLAD fund, primarily to take up development projects in their respective constituencies. The amount has been increased over time, starting from Rs 5 lakh in 1993-94 to Rs 5 crore at present. Rajya Sabha members can allot their fund to any part of the state he or she represents. Also, a president-nominated Rajya Sabha member such as Mr Tendulkar can allot his fund for any activity in the country.