Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Calls For Shedding ‘Ego’ For Development Of Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday called for a sustained effort by the state government in tandem with the Centre to realise the aspirations of the people of Odisha.

The minister, who is on a visit to the city, said in order to fulfill the expectations and ambitions of 4.5 crore people of the state, all should make a united effort. “There should not be any scope of ego on part of any authorities. Our single point of agenda should be to make the prime minister’s vision of ‘Purbodaya’ (rise of eastern India),” he said while speaking to a local TV channel.

The state leadership should focus on ensuring that all-round development reaches the four corners of Odisha, from Mayurbhanj to Malkangiri, Balangir to Kendrapada and Talcher to Angul, he added.

On slow progress of the projects for development of railway sector in Odisha, Vaishnaw said these projects involve a complex process. Unlike construction of roads which are used by vehicles like cars, buses and trucks, the railway tracks are meant for trains which carry thousands of people and goods worth crores of rupees.

Considering the enormity of the job, various critical factors like alignment, slopes and geographical location are meticulously planned.

Besides, the major hurdle in Odisha is land acquisition as its forest area is more than other states. Moreover, there are very old many land records which have not been computerised and involve a long process for acquisition.

But, the minister said, he was not deterred by the difficulties and wanted to go ahead with his responsibilities by considering those as challenges. If necessary, he would not hesitate to approach the tehsildars or RIs directly to get the works done, he added.