BJD Expresses Concerns over Reduction in Allocation for Rail Sector in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) has expressed its concerns over the reduction in budgetary allocation towards the railway sector in the State.

“The reduction in overall allocation for the state is a cause of serious concern as Odisha remains one of the least rail coverage states in the country despite the state contributing maximum revenue”, BJD national spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Sasmit Patra said in a statement.

The BJD also expressed its displeasure over the budget as no new railway project has been introduced in sectors that were suggested by the Odisha Government with a commitment to share cost.

“We expected to get sanction for projects like Puri-Konark; Bargarh-Nuapada; Jajpur-Aradi-Dhamra; Chakulia-Buramara, Gunupur-Therubali (new line) where State has committed assistance”, Patra said.

At the same time, the BJD welcomed the Gopalpur-Sambalpur proposed line and said that it will be a big economic booster to the area if executed in time.

The Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik-led party also welcomed introduction of more Tejas type trains and hoped that more numbers of such trains would be introduced in Odisha.