Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday flagged off the first train on the 32-km Khurda-Begunia stretch. It is part of the 289-km Khurda-Bolangir railway line.
The line, which connects coastal Odisha with western region, is a two-decade-old project. It has been progressing at very slow pace due to delay in land acquisition.
In Nayagarh district, 608.09 acres of land was required for the project whereas not more than 100 acres was brought under physical possession. Full-scale land acquisition is yet to commence in Bolangir district where land requirement is 303.101 acres.
The Odisha Government has offered to allocate land free of cost and share 50 per cent of the construction cost of Daspalla-Bolangir stretch.
Addressing the flag off ceremony, Mr. Prabhu said: “There was a time when only foundation stones were being laid. At some places, this ceremony was performed five to six times. The present government believes in implementing projects rather than going on announcing projects.”
By September this year, Khurda-Begunia line was expected to be extended to Sunakhala, he said, adding that budgetary provision for Rs. 195 crore had been made for the project this year.
The Minister announced to set up a skill development centre in connection with railway sector at Begunia.
Railway Ministry in partnership with Odisha government would invest heavily in railway infrastructure for connecting to mining belts and coal fields, Mr. Prabhu said. A joint venture company would be formed for mobilising investments for railway sector in the State.
The Chief Minister urged Railway Minister to take steps to connect seven unconnected districts with railway line. Mr. Prabhu later inaugurated Malatipatapur railway station, which was developed keeping in mind the Nabakalebara festival, near Puri.
