Odisha demands Rs 400 cr for new rail projects

State has also reiterated demand for allocation for ongoing/sanctioned projects for which it seeks Rs 1,050 cr

The state government has raised a demand of Rs 400 crore in the Railway Budget for 2016-17 for funding nine new railway projects.

The new rail links proposed are Jeypore-Nabarangpur, Jeypore-Malkangiri-Bhadrachalam, Gunupur-Theruvali-Rayagada, Kendujhar-Badamapahar, Bargarh-Padampur-Nuapada, Burhamura-Chakulia, Puri-Konark, Rajathgarh-Tapang bypass and Khurda junction bypass.

The state has also reiterated its demand for allocation for ongoing/sanctioned projects like Khurda-Bolangir, Talcher-Bimlagarh, Angul-Sukinda, Paradip-Haridaspur and Jaleswar-Digha. Together, the government has demanded Rs 1050 crore for these projects.

For doubling and third line projects, the state government wants an allocation of Rs 2270 crore. The doubling/third link projects have been proposed for Sambalpur-Talcher, Sambalpur-Titlagarh, Titlagarh-Raipur, Banspani-Daitari-Jakhapura, Rourkela-Bimlagrah, Sambalpur-Jharsuguda, Koraput-Singapore Road, Bansapani-Jaruli-Padapahad, Rajathgarh-Barang, Badbil-Badjamda, Nirgundi-Bhadrak-Balasore-Kharagpur, Rourkela-Jharsuguda, Angul-Talcher-Rajathgarh, Khurda-Palasa, Khurda-Barang and Brundamal-Jharsuguda flyover.

Separately, the state government has asked the Railways ministry to earmark Rs 335 crore for four electrification projects- Vizianagram-Rayagada-Titlagarh-Raipur, Jharsuguda-Sambalpur-Titlagarh, Sambalpur-Angul and Bandamunda-Bimlagarh-Barsuan.