Bhubaneswar: In a piece of good news for people of Nabarangpur and Kalahandi districts, the Final Location Survey (FLS) and Detailed Project Report (DPR) preparation for the proposed Junagarh – Nabarangpur new line (116 km) project has been completed.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has informed this in Lok Sabha today while replying to a question raised by Nabarangpur MP Ramesh Majhi.
As per the DPR, the estimated cost of the project (2022-23) is Rs 2864.51 crore, he said.
At present, the project is not sanctioned, so, no time line for commencement of work and fund allocation can be ascertained at this stage, the Railway Minister stated.
Elaborating the reasons behind delay in execution of the ambitious project, Minister said the completion of any railway project depends on various factors like quick land acquisition by State Government, forest clearance by officials of forest department, shifting of infringing utilities, statutory clearances from various authorities, geological and topographical conditions of area, law and order situation in the area, etc.
The Government has taken various steps for effective and speedy implementation of rail projects, which includes setting up of Gati Shakti Directorate in Ministry of Railways and Gati Shakti Units in divisions, prioritisation of projects and substantial increase in allocation of funds.
Besides, powers delegated at field level officials and the progress of project is closely monitored at various levels and regular follow up with State Governments and concerned authorities are being made for expeditious land acquisition, forestry and wildlife clearances and for resolving other issues pertaining to projects, he added.
As people of Kalahandi and Nabarangpur districts have close social, economic and cultural ties, they had demanded extension of the rail line to Junagarh during the Railway Minister’s visit to Nabarangpur district in August 2021. Following which, the new line extended till Junagarh.
The proposed 110 km stretch rail line will run from Junagarh to Nabarangpur via Koksara, Ampani and Ampani ghat and from there it will reach Nabarangpur via Boripadar, Dhansuli and Papadahandi. It will run parallel to NH-26.
