Keonjhar: A direct link between Joda’s Banspani and Barbil railway stations in the district remains a pipedream even though seven years have passed since it found mention in the Budget.
Meanwhile, setting up of the rail route under Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railways (SER) in neighbouring Jharkhand has gained momentum after people hardened their stance over the demand, reports said.
Residents of Keonjhar district said though they have been repeatedly demanding for the construction of the rail route over the years, the railways has turned a deaf ear to their pleas. The non-fulfilment of the demand has sparked resentment and anger among the residents.
Locals alleged that in the absence of direct rail link between the 17-km stretch – from Banspani to Barbil- the Puri-Barbil train has to take a detour of 60 to 70 km, causing severe inconvenience to passengers.
Basant Mohanty, a member of the Barbil Civil Society said there are more than 40 mines (and 20 industrial plants) in Barbil mining area from where minerals are extracted and transported via roads. However, the transportation of minerals and pellets in trucks is causing accidents and the resultant loss of lives and properties.
The rail route, when completed, will connect the district headquarters town of Keonjhar with Barbil. This will benefit people of Keonjhar as they can travel directly in trains to Barbil and the vice versa.
Similarly, iron ores extracted from the mines in Barbil and Bolani areas can be transported via trains to Paradip and Dhamra ports as well as to the various plants and other industries in the state. The rail link will also help in reducing road accidents and ensure safe commuting.
Mohanty said that the Puri-Barbil train started plying from 2009. However, due to the detour of 60-70 kms, it takes four hours to reach Barbil. Moreover, it also results in loss of precious revenue for the railways, Mohanty added.
“The lack of direct rail link forces passenger trains to travel via the Danguapasi section in Jharkhand to reach Barbil which is causing revenue loss to the railways,” he said.
Similarly, trucks carrying iron ores extracted from Barbail and Bolani mining areas have to travel extra miles to reach Paradip, Dhamra ports and other areas.
Rasanand Behera, another member of Barbil Civil Society, said the Railway Budget presented in the Parliament in 2016-17 FY had a proposal for the construction of this rail route. “But nothing has happened on the ground so far,” he said.
Following the mention in the Budget, the state government proposed to construct this rail route with district mineral foundation (DMF) funds. A plan outlay of RS 363.38 crore was made for the purpose. However, the project failed to take off.
Moreover, the rail routes in the mining areas fall under the Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railways in Jharkhand. Locals and members of the civil society have been demanding for the inclusion of the rail routes under the East Coast Railways (ECoR), Khurda since the last 12 years.
PNN
