Odisha CM Thanks PM, Rly Minister For Rs 15,000 Cr Projects, Says New Lines Will Accelerate Development

Bhubaneswar: A day after the Centre approved six new rail lines for Odisha, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, and said the projects will accelerate development in the state.

Noting that the new projects will strengthen railway infrastructure in Odisha, he said the step will go a long way in the economic development of Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts.

The CM, who held a discussion with Railway Minister through video conferencing, said the people of Odisha are extremely happy following the approval of new rail line projects worth Rs 15,004 crore for the state.

It may be noted that six big and medium railway projects in Odisha, mainly in southern and western regions, were approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA0 chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.

The new projects are 73-km-long Gunupur-Therubali (new line), 116-km-long Junagarh-Nabarangpur (new line), 82-km-long Badampahar-Kendujhargarh (new line), 85-km-long Bangiriposhi-Gorumohisani, 60-km-long Budhamara-Chakulia and 173-km-long Malkangiri-Pandurangpuram (via Bhadrachalam).

Briefing the Media, Ashwini Vaishnaw said that all the new projects and ongoing projects in the state will be expedites in view of Double Engine Government both in State and in Centre. He also said that the hurdles for construction of rail line will now be solved quickly. These projects are in Prime Minister’s vision of development from East.

Vaishnaw also added that projects worth Rs one lakh crore have been planned for Railway Infrastructural Development in Odisha. Till now, projects worth Rs 70,000 crores have been already been sanctioned for Odisha.

The Chief Minister has also assured that State Government will take all efforts for Rail Infrastructural Development in the State. He also assured that steps will be taken for early completion of land acquisition work.

Amongst others, MPs Naba Charan Majhi (Mayurbhanj), Balabhadra Majhi (Nabarangpur), Anant Nayak (Keonjhar) and Malvika Deo (Kalahandi) were also present with Vaishnaw through Video Conferencing from New Delhi. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi joined in Video Conferencing from Bhubaneswar.