NARASINGHA RUES APATHY FOR KHORDHA-B’NGIR RLY LINE Sunday, 12 April 2015 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar 1

NARASINGHA RUES APATHY FOR KHORDHA-B’NGIR RLY LINE

Sunday, 12 April 2015 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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The construction of Khordha-Balangir railway line has been moving at a snail’s pace, thanks to apathy of Railway authorities, poor and faulty land acquisition and paucity of funds, alleged Leader of Opposition in Assembly Narasingha Mishra at a Press conference here.

In a recent Railway Board meeting, it was known that the Centre has not given financial sanction for the Nayagarh-Balangir section. First, the land has to be identified and then acquisition process would start, Mishra said, saying that there is undue delay in the whole process.

The Railway authority showed that they have acquired land of 20km in the Balangir-Bairsar section of Khordha-Balangir railway line. When asked further the railway authorities reportedly admitted that they have acquired it illegally and proceeding have started against the Railway officials, Mishra told pointing at the faulty process.

Forest clearance in many places from Begunia to Nayagarh portion also has not been acquired, although land acquisition has been completed to a great extent in that portion, Mishra said.

While expressing concerns over the delay in the works in Khordha-Balangir rail line, Mishra stressed that for the economic development of Balangir, the much-touted wagon manufacturing factory should be set up in Balangir without further dillydallying. He also underscored the need for establishment of State’s second agriculture university in Balangir as the district is a strategic place in western Odisha whose economy is largely agrarian.

Mishra also expressed dissatisfaction over the progress of Lower Suktel irrigation project and demanded that the land losers be given compensation as per the new land acquisition policy of 2013.

Mishra also demanded a thorough probe in the chit fund scam and the link of BJP State president and former Minister AU Singh Deo and Minister Puspendra Singh Deo with Vista company. He showed photographs of a function of the chit fund firm at Titiligarh in 2010 where AU and Puspendra were present as guests. Mishra also reeled out steps he hadtaken for development of Balangir Assembly constituency in last one year.