Naveen seeks sizeable allocation for Odisha in railway budget

Seeking sizeable allocation in next Railway budget for development of rail infrastructure in Odisha, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today demanded National Project status for at least two new rail lines and a dedicated freight corridor.
"I would also like to urge you to advise Ministry of Railways for strengthening of rail project execution infrastructure in the state with adequate deployment of officials and staff for time bound implementation of the projects," Patnaik wrote to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Stating that a large part of Odisha especially the backward regions remained untouched by railways, he said lack of infrastructure has been one of the major reasons which has impeded the socio-economic growth of this region.

"As you must be aware, these areas are also seriously affected by Left wing extremism. I believe that delivering rail services in the Naxal affected regions is one of the best means to channelise development therein and provide counter active force. Many of the present industrial clusters have attained a stage of saturation in terms availability of land, water and environmental concerns," he said.
In this context, Patnaik said the construction of Bhadrachalam Road-Talcher rail link via Malkangiri, Jeypore, Lanjigarh, Sambalpur-Brahmapur new rail link via Phulbani and Rayagada Gopalpur rail link via Bhismagiri assumes importance.
"Surveys for these lines have been sanctioned and I would request you to advise Ministry of Railways to execute these projects on a priority basis. These projects should be treated as 'National Projects'," the Chief Minister said.

"In the first place Government of Odisha proposes dedicated rail corridors in Angul-Talcher Coal belt, Basundhara Coal belt in Jharsuguda-Sundargarh and Banspani-Nayagarh iron ore region," he said.

These corridors are proposed to be co-habited by multiple users and developed through participative funding. Railway may consider for setting up of SPV for these rail corridors, he suggested.
Drawing PM's attention to ongoing industrialisation in the state, Patnaik said Odisha has emerged as one of the most preferred destinations for investment especially in metal, mining and power sectors.
The state government is leveraging this opportunity to plan for orderly, systematic and comprehensive economic growth by focusing upon infrastructure development and creating dedicated industrial corridors, he said.