Baripada: President Droupadi Murmu concluded her five-day visit to Odisha on Saturday by laying foundation stones of three new railway line projects in her home district Mayurbhanj.
Bangiriposi-Gorumahisani, Buramara-Chakulia, and Badampahar-Kendujhargarh railway lines under the South Eastern Railway will improve connectivity in Odisha and open up new business and job opportunities and foster economic development in these regions.
The estimated cost of these projects is Rs 6,295 crore.
Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram and Chief Minister Mohan Majhi, state ministers, MPs, MLAs, and officials were present.
The Projects
The 82-km Badampahar-Kendujhargarh line, which will pass through the Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts, will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,106 crore. It will create a north and north-east rail corridor in the state.
Spanning 86 km and built at a cost of Rs 2,549 crore, Bangriposi-Gorumahisani will facilitate movement of passengers and freight, contributing to economic growth of Mayurbhanj district.
Similarly, 60-km line Buramara-Chakulia line, connecting the Mayurbhanj district with East Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, will be built at a cost of Rs 1,639 crore. The new rail link will significantly improve access between these mineral-rich areas and boost the local economy by enhancing the transportation of goods, particularly for the industrial sector.
“The foundation stone-laying ceremony will mark a significant milestone in the region’s development and is expected to have a far-reaching impact on the social and economic fabric of the area. The President’s visit highlights the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and fostering sustainable development in the region,” said an official of SER.
Before flying back to Delhi, the President also laid the foundation stone for a Tribal Research and Development Centre and the development of Dandbose Airstrip at Rairangpur, besides a 100-bed hospital at the sub-divisional hospital, Rairangpur to come up with an estimated cost of Rs 52.4 crore.
On Friday, Murmu broke protocol to dance with villagers during a visit to Uparbeda, her birthplace. She also interacted with residents, spent time with schoolchildren and met her former teachers. She met her brother’s family members and had manda and arisa pitha, saga and rice at her ancestral house.
