Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan refutes Odisha’s declare of low railway allocations
2 min read By Express News Service
BHUBANESWAR: Even because the state authorities rejected the East Coast Railway’s (ECoR) declare of elevated allocation for Odisha within the 2021-22 Railway finances, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan acknowledged that Narendra Modi authorities has all alongside been cooperative in the direction of railway infrastructure growth in Odisha.
Referring to Commerce and Transport Minister Padmanabha Behera’s allegation that allocation within the finances has been far lower than expectation, Pradhan stated, “Some people have been saying something without having facts.”
Without taking names, Pradhan stated Odisha has acquired every year common allocations of Rs 838 crore within the Railway finances between 2009 and 2014 in comparison with Rs 4,126 crore between 2014 and 2019. He stated whole allocation of finances for railway infrastructure initiatives in Odisha has elevated from Rs 4,568 crore in 2019-20 to Rs 4,884 crore in 2020-21.
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Stating that 39 railway initiatives costing Rs 61,949 crore for 4,877 km size are in numerous levels of execution in Odisha, he stated, this contains 12 new railway line initiatives masking a size of 1,542 km at a price of Rs 27,072 crore.
The Union Minister requested the state authorities to finish land acquisition for the Khurda Road-Balangir railway line mission which has acquired a report allocation of Rs 1,000.50 crore. Work on the mission could be expedited if the state authorities completes land acquisition in Sonepur, Boudh and Kandhamal districts, he stated.
He stated that the holding capability of Angul Electric Loco Shed has been elevated from 100 engines to 150 engines within the finances. Besides, announcement has additionally been made about institution of electrical engine overhauling workshop in Kalahandi district.
The Congress, nonetheless, criticised the Centre for not assembly the requirement of Odisha even because the State contributed loads in the direction of Indian Railway’s income era.
“The Centre made more allocations for the states where elections will be held in 2021,” alleged OPCC president Niranjan Patnaik.
