New Delhi: The Railway Board has accorded In-Principle approval to the much talked new railway project connecting Bargarh Road with Nawapara Road (Nuapada) via Padampur (138.32 km) and East Coast Railway (ECoR) to take further action.
This was informed by Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in Rajya Sabha on Friday. While replying to a question of BJD MP Prashanta Nanda, the Railway Minister said Odisha Rail Infrastructure Development Limited (ORIDL), a company controlled by the Government of Odisha (51%), has been assigned with five projects for development.
The projects are Gopalpur – Rairakhol new line, Naraj Marthapur – Kaipadar Road new line by passing Bhubaneswar, Banspani–Barbil new line, Bargarh Road– Nawapara Road new line and Buramara–Chakulia line. In–principle approval for taking up the pre-investment activities had been granted to ORIDL by the Railway Board for all above five projects, he said.
Informing the present status of the Bargarh-Nuapada new rail line project, Shri Vaishnaw said Draft Detailed Project Report (DPR) of the new railway line project was prepared by ORIDL. However, on request of the Government of Odisha, the Railway Board has decided to assign this project to East Coast Railway for further action, he said.
Accordingly, he said, the DPR for a new line has been prepared. The Odisha Government has proposed to provide land free of cost for the whole project and financial grant of Rs. 300 crore, informed the Railway Minister.
Similarly, ORIDL has prepared the DPR of Gopalpur-Rairakhol new line project (270 km) and Naraj Marthapur – Kaipadar Road project (69.5 km) and Banspani–Barbil new line projects.
Further, In–Principle Approval (IPA) was given to ORIDL for the Buramara – Chakuli project with the condition that any debt repayment burden would not be borne by the Ministry of Railways.
“This condition had not been agreed by ORIDL. Therefore, the Board had decided to withdraw the IPA granted to ORIDL for taking up pre-investment activities for the project and has assigned this project to South Eastern Railway,” Shri Vaishnaw informed.
Accordingly, DPR for a new railway line from Buramara to Chakulia has been prepared and the State Government has agreed to provide land free of cost for this project of Odisha portion, he added.
Final Location Survey and draft DPR for Gopalpur-Rairakhol new line project has been prepared by ORIDL.
When Shri Nanda asked whether Phulbani District Headquarter is missing in detailed project report (DPR) of the Gopalpur-Sambalpur new rail line project, he said, connectivity with various enroute cities/towns will be proposed/finalized by Government of Odisha.