Rail projects, 7-star village in Haryana announced

Chandigarh: With seven new rail projects and an ambitious '7-star Village' scheme for gram panchayats announced by the Haryana government on Friday, the 69th Republic Day brought many presents for the people of the state.

Addressing the gathering during a Republic Day function at Rohtak, Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar announced seven new rail projects. The seven new rail-projects, he said includes Yamunanagar-Chandigarh via Naraingarh and Sadhaura, Delhi- Sohna-Nuh-Ferozpur Zhirka-Alwar, Farrukhnagar-Jhajjar-Charkhi Dadri, Jind-Hisar, Bhiwani-Loharu, Karnal-Yamunanagar and railway sliding project in Manesar for Maruti Udyog.

The state government has, in collaboration with Railway Ministry, constituted Haryana Rail Infrastructure Development Corporation to further develop rail infrastructure in the state, the chief minister said. "The corporation would prepare feasibility report of new railway lines within next 10 months. Feasibility report of all these projects, having a total length of 439 kms, would be prepared at a cost of Rs 20 crore," Khattar said.

Expressing concern over some unfortunate incidents that occurred in the state recently, the chief minister said the incidents, especially those occurred against women, had hurt him. He noted that the culprits involved in such incidents have been nabbed.

"The government will introduce a stringent law in the next session of the state Assembly to deal with such incidents.

"In this law, a provision of death penalty for the rape of a child below 12 years of age will be made," he added.