This story is from July 31, 2021

Centre examining Bargarh to Nuapada rail project, says railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw

Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday told the Rajya Sabha that the government is examining the feasibility of the Bargarh-Nawapara (Nuapada) rail line project. If the proposed project gets the Centre’s approval, the 142km rail line will touch Padampur and Bijepur in Bargarh district.
Centre examining Bargarh to Nuapada rail project, says railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
Ashwini Vaishnaw
BHUBANESWAR: Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Friday told the Rajya Sabha that the government is examining the feasibility of the Bargarh-Nawapara (Nuapada) rail line project. If the proposed project gets the Centre’s approval, the 142km rail line will touch Padampur and Bijepur in Bargarh district.
The minister, while replying to Rajya Sabha member Prasanna Acharya, said the 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, the Bargarh-Nawapara via Padampur rail line (142km) has been identified by the Odisha Rail Infrastructure Development Limited (ORIDL), a joint venture of the Odisha government (51% stake) and the ministry of railways (49% stake) for development. The Odisha government has given its 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 the problems of the people living in the area. “At present, there is no rail connectivity to the Nrusinghanath Temple. If this project sees the light of the day, it can touch the tourist place while connecting Bargarh with Nuapada. Once it has rail communication, this place will get more tourists and devotees.”
He added that the 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 once this project gets the Centre’s go-ahead,” he said.
Rail connectivity between Bargarh and Nuapada has been a long-standing demand of the people of Bargarh district. Political parties, too, are pushing for it now. This rail line will cut travel time to Raipur and Bhubaneswar as well.
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About the Author
Hemanta Pradhan

Hemanta Pradhan writes for the Times of India on education, hospital issues, transport, agriculture & tribal affairs. He has been working as a journalist since 2011. He has a PG degree in Journalism & Mass Communication from Berhampur University. He has won Laadli Media Awards for gender sensitivity.

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