BJD Asks BJP To Apologise For ‘Mesleading’ Statements On Rail Projects In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Politics over rail links for bypoll-bound Padampur in Odisha gained further heat on Monday as the ruling BJD asked BJP to apologise to the people of the Assembly constituency accusing saffron leaders of making misleading and confusing statements.

Addressing a press meet in Bhubaneswar, Patra said the letter from Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to Odisha Minister Tukuni Sahuu proves that Bargarh-Nuapada rail line via Padampur was approved in December 2021 and not  in 2018 as ‘misinformed’ by Union Edcation Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

While Dharmendra had claimed that the railway project was approved by the Centre in December 2018, Vaishnaw in his letter to state’s Commerce and Transport Minister Tukuni Sahu has stated that it was sanctioned in December 2021, he said.

He said BJP MP from Bargarh has also stated that the project was approved in Decewmber 2021.

Accusing BJP leaders of misleading the people of Padampur by making confusing statements on the rail project, the BJD MP said the saffron leaders should tender an apology to the people of the assembly segment for giving ‘misinformation.’

Patra said after state gave consent to provide all land free and Rs 300 crore extra fund, railways instead of doing the work, has asked a state agency to do further survey. “This is unacceptable. It seems railways is washing its hands from doing any projects in Odisha,” he said.

Stating that ORIDL is a company and it can do projects by raising money from banks, he sought to know as to which bank will give money after seeing the letter of railways of 2019 that this project is unviable and should not be done.

As the letter of the ministry of railways states that Padampur railway line is unviable, no bank will ever provide loans for this project to a company like ORIDL. “Why is the railways not willing to fund this project in the interests of the people of Padampur,” Patra asked.

Accusing BJP of doing lip service as they have no intent to sanction this project, the BJD leader said the people of Odisha do not want in principle approval and survey. “We want the project be sanctioned by railways and constructed with help of free land and Rs 300 crore from the state government,” he said.

“Railways should stop misguiding people of Padampur like they have been doing since 2018 and till today,” Patra said.

Stating that railways has taken about 1 lakh crore from Odisha in the past five years and given not even 20% of the amount,  he said Odisha should get its rightful share from railways for which it has been contributing so much.

Following allegation of negligence of Padampur in rail connectivity, Vaishnaw on Monday clarified that Odisha Rail Infrastructure Development Limited (ORIDL) has been entrusted with the responsibility of Bargarh-Nuapada line.