Complete all ongoing railway projects in Odisha, urges Pyari

The Pioneer, Dec 19, 2009
PNS | Bhubaneswar

The Centre’s negligence towards improvement of railway infrastructures in the State was echoed in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.

Raising this issue, Rajya Sabha member Pyari Mohan Mohapatra said the railway authorities have totally ignored the interests of the State, particularly in the field of electrification of railway line, doubling and construction of new railway lines.

“Steps should be taken to complete all ongoing railway projects in the State,” demanded Mohapatra, adding that many projects have been delayed by railway citing that the projects are not economically viable. When Mohapatra raised these issues, Union Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee was present on the floor of the Rajya Sabha and even noted down the points.

Mohaptra pointed out how the Khurda-Balangir railway line has been delayed. “Though the works from 0 to 36 km has been completed, the land acquisition process is yet to kick off from 36 km-112 km. Railway delayed it by citing that this is not economically profitable,” he said, adding that the project assumes importance for the growth of industries .

He further said that many companies have come up with proposals to set up industries in these areas including Kandhamal. Mohapatra also raised the issue regarding the delay in land acquisition in another two important projects — Angul-Sukinda and Bansapani and Barbil. “Railway Minister should intervene and ask officials to expedite the land acquisition process,” he said.

Besides, Mohapatra also raised the issue of Lanjigarha-Junagarha, Bangiriposhi- Keonjhar, Gunupur-Bisam Cuttack and doubling of Puri-Bhubaneswar railway line. He said as the doubling of railway line of Puri-Bhubaneswar has not been completed it has affected the tourism sector. A number of foreign tourists come on a visit to Puri. “Though the works has been started, it has been completed till Delanga,” he said.

Mohapatra also demanded to include Jharsuguda under East Coast Zone and extension of the Rourkela-Bhubaneswar Intercity train to Palasa.