Shatabdi service to connect Puducherry with Chennai

Puducherry: The Union government is considering introduction of Shatabdi train services between Union territory of Puducherry and Chennai by early next year.
Union railway minister Suresh Prabhu made an assurance in this regard to Puducherry Lt Governor Kiran Bedi, who called on him at New Delhi on July 26.
The minister also assured to launch Mainline electrical multiple units (Memu) and air-conditioned chair car services between Puducherry-Villupuram and Puducherry-Chennai within this year.
Bedi urged him to strengthen the rail connectivity for the Union territory.Bedi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Rajnath Singh and sought adequate budgetary allocation for the Union territory of Puducherry.
The Puducherry state planning board has recommended annual plan size for the financial year 2016-17 at 2,456 crore for the Union territory of Puducherry.
Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy had earlier appealed to the Union government not to reduce the plan and non-plan size recommended by the state planning board.
Earlier Bedi met the Niti Aayog chief executive officer Amitabh Kant, who came forward to evolve a detailed plan of action for the Union territory with special emphasis on improving health and nutrition, education, water management and industries in Puducherry. The CEO, who proposed to visit the Union territory in September, also offered to send an advance planning team to hold discussions with key stakeholders.