Mamata proposes auto parts units on vacant railway land, freight corridor for South

The Railways is considering the possibility of providing vacant land earmarked for commercial utilisation for setting up auto ancillary industries, railway minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday.

The minister also proposed a freight corridor for the south once work on the western and eastern freight corridors are completed.

This is beside the automobile logistics hubs, planned in collaboration with the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, on railway land at various places across the country, she said.

Addressing a programme in Bangalore, she also announced a new train between Bangalore and Howrah and also extension of Mumbai-Karwar train up to Mangalore.

Mamata said the first automobile logistics hub is already coming up in Howrah while nine more, including in Bangalore and Mysore, would be set up.

"We have received proposals from automobile ancillary industries. That also we are examining. When it's cleared, you will get your share", Banerjee said at the function attended by state chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Mamata also made a strong pitch for a public-private partnership in providing rail link to industrial hubs, ports and coal mines, saying it would benefit all the stakeholders - industry as well as state and central governments.