Augment railway infrastructure : Naveen

Kalinga Times, 18th July, 2008

Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday emphasised the need for expansion and augmentation of railway infrastructure in the state which was witnessing a major industrial upsurge.
During his meeting Railway Board chairman K.C. Jena in New Delhi , the Chief Minister said the industrial growth will necessitate laying of new rail links, construction of elaborate rail terminals and bulk cargo handling points.
He pointed out that the railway route length in Odisha was well below the national average and also much less than the neighbouring states such as Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar.
Patnaik mentioned that there had been very little progress of Khurda Road-Bolangir railway line and the Ministry of Railways had allocated only Rs 32 crore during 2008-09 and stressed for increased allocation.
The Chief Minister also drew the attention of the Railway Board chairman to the KBK districts which have a high percentage of tribal population and stressed the need for sanction of Jeypore-Malkanglri (117 km) line for which survey had already been completed. The advent of railways would lead to socio-economic development in the region, he said.
He also informed that the state government had signed MoUs for setting up of two alumina plants in the region and in this context, the Lanjigarh Road-Junagarh new rail link assumed significance.
Patnaik desired that the section between Lanjigarh and Bhawanipatna should be commissioned early.
He has also reiterated the state government's interest for development of Gopalpur, Dhamra and Subarnarekha mouth (Kirtania) ports into all weather ports along its coast line and stressed that railway lines connecting Rupsa-Burhamara to Chakulia (50 km), Nuapada-Gunupur rail link to Theruvali (79 km) and Banspani-Barbil for which preliminary surveys had been completed assume critical importance for movement of inbound and outbound traffic likely to be generated by the coastal ports, industries as well as mines in the hinterland.
He underlined the need for speedy completion of residual work on Daitari-Banspani broad gauge rail link and to introduce an intercity express between Bhubaneswar-Jamshedpur via Keonjhar.
Since the lack of adequate rail infrastructure had hindered the socio-economic growth of the state, Patnaik impressed upon the need to consider increased allocation of funds to ensure speedy execution of the sanctioned projects and also sanctioning of the new projects and surveys. He expressed satisfaction over selection of Bhubaneswar as one of the locations for construction of a world class railway station.
The Chief Minister further emphasised the need for introduction of new trains, extension and increase in frequency of mail/express trains, and improved passenger amenities to meet the aspirations of the people and the developmental needs of a fast growing economy.
Patnaik also stressed the need for normalisation of Balasore-Kharagpur section and restoration of normal coaching services as nineteen trains still stood cancelled because of the breach of railway track due to the recent floods.
The Railway Board chairman assured the Chief Minister to expedite all the railway projects in the state, according to an official release.