Pravash Pradhan
Post News Network
New Delhi, July 20: The state government Monday signed an MoU with the ministry of railways to complete the Khurda Road-Bolangir project within six years.
The MoU will cover a 177 km stretch from Dasapalla to Bolangir out of a total of 289 km railway line between Khurda Road and Bolangir. As per the MoU, both sides will share 50 per cent cost of the project. The state government, however, will provide land to Railways at free of cost. The cost of the project has been estimated at `3050 crore.
“I’m happy that the project, which will be a life line for Orissa, will connect western and coastal Orissa. It will also help to enhance the socio-economic condition of people in that region,” said state transport minister Ramesh Chandra Majhi.
Speaker Niranjan Pujari, who was also present at the ceremony, said the challenges before the project are many and they include completion of the survey and DPR (Draft Project Report), forest clearance, wildlife clearance and land acquisition.
Speaking on the occasion, minister of railways Suresh Prabhu said, “Signing of this MoU will go a long way in developing infrastructure in Orissa as Khurda-Bolangir new line running from east to west across the state will accelerate the pace of development in the districts falling on this line. Orissa, being a mineral rich state, has a special place in today’s economic scenario of our country and Railways is aware of its responsibility to cater to the needs of transportation of people and goods.”
Ved Parkash Dudeja, executive director (works), ministry of railways and Sanjay Rastogi, commissioner-cum-secretary, state commerce & transport department signed the MoU.
Among those who were present at the meeting were minister of railways Suresh Prabhu, minister of state for railways Manoj Sinha, Speaker Niranjan Pujari, minister of commerce & transport Ramesh Chandra Majhi, MPs AU Singh Deo, Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo, Prasanna Kumar Patasani, Pratyusha Rajeshwari Singh and Baishnab Parida.