Accusing the ruling BJP of launching a 'malicious' ad campaign in poll-bound Gujarat, Minister of State for Railways Bharatsinh Solanki today said the rail network in the state had grown manifold during the rule of Congress-led UPA.

Budgetary allocation to Gujarat had been higher under the UPA regime as compared to BJP-led NDA rule, he said here.

BJP has come out with an advertisement campaign, alleging that injustice had been meted out to Gujarat by the Centre, especially the Railways. The ad claims that rail network in Gujarat had actually reduced over the years.

"The BJP's ad campaign is malicious and based on falsehood. Records show that budgetary allocation to the state had been higher under UPA regime as compared to NDA rule," the Congress leader said.

"The broad gauge track, which was 902 km long in 1960, has increased to 3,506 km in 2012. Gauge conversion in Gujarat has helped reduce journey time between the state and national capitals by half," Solanki said.

Around 2,037 km of track has been converted from meter gauge to broad gauge, while 478 km has been converted from narrow gauge to broad gauge, the Minister said.

The four-fold increase in broad gauge lines has provided seamless passenger and freight movement from Gujarat to other states, Solanki said.

About increase in budgetary allocation to Gujarat, Solanki said under NDA, the State received Rs 1,974 crore in 2003. "In contrast, UPA Government, after coming to power in 2004, made budgetary allocation of Rs 2,500 crore to the state, a 40 per cent rise."

"Under UPA-II, a budgetary allocation of Rs 5,156 crore had been done to Gujarat (2009-2012)," he said.

During BJP rule at the Centre, Gujarat got only 24 new trains. In contrast, the state has got 33 new trains in the last two years alone. Overall, 61 new trains have been introduced in the state since 2004, the Minister said.

Highlighting the Gujarat-based initiatives taken by Railways, Solanki said a survey was on to launch high speed bullet train between Ahmedabad and Mumbai. A sum of Rs 2,500 crore has been allocated for gauge conversion in the state.

Around a dozen districts and five important ports of Gujarat shall benefit immensely from the Western Freight Corridor (WFC) project for which the work shall commence soon, Solanki said.

Of the proposed 1,499 km long WFC, 592 km stretch passes through Gujarat. The Centre is investing Rs 16,000 crore in the project, he said.

Taking a dig at the Narendra Modi Government, Solanki said travelling by trains within Gujarat was far more cheaper than travelling by the state transport buses, which are bearing the burden of ferrying people to the Chief Minister's functions.

Solanki said the Centre was mulling to launch a Railway Yojana on the lines of Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojana to improve connectivity.