Odisha: Govt examining Bargarh-Nuapada rail line project

BHUBANESWAR: Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday told Rajya Sabha that the government is examining the Bargarh-Nawapara (Nuapada) rail line project. If the rail line proposal is passed, this 142 km rail line will touch Padampur and Bijepur in Bargarh district.
The minister while replying to Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya said survey for a new line between Bargarh Road and Nawapara Road via Padampur was completed in 2018-19.“The project was operationally unjustified, as such, it could not be taken forward,” read the reply.
However, Bargarh-Nawapara via Padampur Project (142 km) has been identified by the Odisha Rail Infrastructure Development Limited (ORIDL), a joint venture company of the Odisha government (51 percent) and ministry of railways (49 percent) for development. “Odisha government has given their consent to bear the cost of land. The proposal has been taken up for examination,” said the minister in his reply.
Rama Krishna Purohit, a doctor from Bargarh, said the project will solve many problems of people from his area. “Now we do not have rail connectivity to Nrusinghanath Temple. If this project sees the light of the day, it can touch the tourist place while connecting Bargarh with Nuapada. After rail communication, this place will get more tourists and devotees,” he added.
He said people of Bargarh district can save more than two hours’ time if they travel to Raipur via Nuapada. “Now we have to go to Raipur via Titlagarh. We can even save time while travelling to Bhubaneswar. Some places like Bijepur, Padampur, Gaisilet and Paikmal will get rail connectivity,” he added.
It is a long-standing demand of the people of Bargarh district to provide rail connectivity between Bargarh and Nuapada. Even political parties are also showing interest in this issue. This rail line will cut travel time to Raipur and Bhubaneswar.