Rane calls off Konkan agitation

Revenue Minister Narayan Rane decided to withdraw his ‘chakka jam’ agitation after the Konkan Railway Board chairman assured of fulfilling the demands put forth by him.

Revenue Minister Narayan Rane decided to withdraw his ‘chakka jam’ agitation after the Konkan Railway Board chairman assured of fulfilling the demands put forth by him.

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Rane had threatened to conduct rail block in Konkan on July 9 if his demands — trains from Mumbai to Sawantwadi, a railway terminus at Sawantwadi and overbridges in Sindhudurg, Ratnagiri and Raigad districts were not fulfilled.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Manikrao Thakre, however, told the media that Rane had called off the agitation after the central leadership asked him not to do so.

“Besides, some of his important demands have been accepted by the Railway ministry,” Thakre said.

Addressing the media at Ratnagiri, Rane said, “I got a call from the railway board chairman Vivek Sahai around 3 pm after they met on the issue in New Delhi. Sahai has assured me that all three demands would be fulfilled.”

“Sahai said the board would sanction Rs 10 crore required for the terminus and the state should assist in getting clearances. I have assured them on behalf of the state to look into this matter,” he said.

Rane said that Sahai had assured him that a new train between Sawantwadi and Mumbai would be started before the Ganesh festival.

“As far as overbridges are concerned, Sahai said that the according to the railway policy, 50 per cent expenses in such cases are borne by the state government,” he said.

“I have assured him that I will speak to the state finance minister if the railway board issues a letter stating that they will bear 50 per cent expenses,” he said.