Odisha CM urges railways minister to start passenger train on Haridaspur-Paradip line

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday urged Union railways minister Piyush Goyal to accord necessary approvals and certifications to start a passenger train on the Haridaspur-Paradip new broad gauge railway line in August this year, to facilitate train connectivity to the Kendrapada district.
In a letter to Goyal, the chief minister said the 82-km new line is connecting Kendrapada district to railway map for the first time.“As connecting all unconnected districts through railways is a state policy, my government invested in equity as sought by railways, to make this project economically viable,” said Naveen.
Stating that it is important to understand the connectivity needs of people and especially for people of Kendrapada district, who have not seen a passenger train in the coastal district, the chief minister said this is the reason why the state government has waived off all stamp duty, registration fee, and also premium on land, along with direct monetary equity support to the railway project.
“Under your leadership, railway projects are now getting commissioned faster and the benefits of rail connectivity will act as a key economic multiplier for people. With your intervention, the same benefit can accrue to the people of Kendrapada,” noted Naveen in his letter.
The Haridaspur-Paradip new broad gauge railway project is being executed through a special purpose vehicle company— Haridaspur Paradip Railway Company Limited (HPRCL), in which the state government, Union ministry of shipping and Indian Railways have similar share in equity.
Sanctioned in 1996-97, commissioning of the railway project has been delayed for years.
“With continuous monitoring, it has finally come to commissioning stage,” said Naveen adding while most work for commissioning of the line is now completed, running of passenger traffic over the new line, to fulfil the aspirations of the people of Kendrapada should be finalised now.
The HPRCL has already recommended to the Union ministry of railways for approval for running passenger trains, said Naveen. The ECoR recently conducted trial run of electric engine on the track.