Bhubaneswar: In a step forward, the state government has released a sum of Rs 159crore towards compensation to people displaced for the much-awaited Khurda-Bolangir rail link project that has been facing an inordinate delay.
The funds have been sanctioned towards land acquisition compensation for Dasapalla-Bolangir segment (112-289 km) stretch of the 289km-long rail line project. The government has acquired land in Nayagarh, Boudh, Sonepur and Bolangir districts for the project.
Of the total 289 km stretch under the Khurda-Bolangir rail link project, construction work up to Rajsunakhala from Khurda (41.5 km) has been completed in 2016. Currently, two Up and Down passenger trains are plying on this stretch.
The state government had signed a MoU with the Railways July 20, 2015 to complete the Khurda-Bolangir rail link project in six years from the commencement of the project on a cost sharing basis. It had also assured to bear the total cost of land acquisition and 50 per cent of the construction cost of the project. The government has decided to complete the project by 2021 with an estimated investment of Rs 2350 crore.
PNN
