Odisha seeks Rs 3,050 cr allocation in Rail Budget

The state government has sought Rs 3,050 crore outlay for the development of rail infrastructure in the state in the ensuing 2013-14 Railway budget.

The state had received only Rs 723 crore allocation in last year’s rail budget against its demand of Rs 2,345 crore.

Of the total budget allocation sought for the coming year, the government has asked Rs 1,440 crore for construction of nine new lines, Rs 50 crore for gauge conversion (90-km Rupsa- Bangiriposi), Rs 890 crore for doubling and laying of third line in some sections.

The funds demanded for the construction of newline include Angul-Duburi- Sukinda (Rs 300 crore), Khurda Road- Bolangir (Rs 350 crore), Haridaspur-Paradeep (Rs 300 crore), Talcher-Bimalagarh (Rs 300 crore), Digha-Jaleswar (Rs 100 crore).

Similarly, the funds required for the doubling projects include Sambalpur-Titlagarh (Rs 200 crore), Raipur-Titlagarh (Rs 100 crore), Banspani-Daitari-Jakhapura(Rs 150 crore), Sambalpur-Talcher (Rs 100 crore) and Rs 100 crore each for laying of third line between Bhadrak-Nirgundi and Bhadrak-Balasore- Kahragpur and Rs 20 crore for third line between Khurda and Barang.

Odisha has asked for Rs 100 crore for construction of goods sheds at 18 stations and five multimodal logistic parks at Kalinganagar, Angul, Jharsuguda, Rourkela and Choudwar.

For passenger amenities at all stations and establishment of five coaching terminals, the state has demanded a total allocation of Rs 75 crore. It has sought Rs 50 crore each for development of modern stations at Bhubaneswar and Puri and an equal amount to upgrade 17 stations to adarsh (model) stations and set up eight multifunctional complexes.

For establishing wagon manufacturing unit at Sitapali in Ganjam district, sleeper wagon factory unit in Kantabanji and mainline electrical multiple unit (Memu) maintenance facility at Khurda, Odisha has sought Rs 35 crore. It needs Rs 50 crore separately for road safety works.

The state has also sought introduction of 25 new trains in the ensuing budget.