Railways, Odisha sign MoU for cost sharing of two new railway line projects

Oct 13, 2016: Ministry of Railways has inked a deal with Government of Odisha for cost sharing of two new railway line projects in Odisha. The MoU was signed in the presence of Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu and Chief Minister of Odisha Naveen Patnaik. Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan and Jual Oram, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs and Member of Parliament from Odisha were also present on the occasion.

Accoding to the MoU, Odisha will bear entire land cost and 50% cost of construction of Jeyore- Nabarangpur (38) km, and 25% of total cost of Jeypore-Malkangiri Rail Line Projects.

Notably, the two new line projects viz. Jeypore- Nabarangpur and Jeypore- Malkangiri was included by Indian Railways in the Railway budget 2016-17 subject to requisite approvals from the Odisha government.

Speaking on the occasion Suresh Prabhu said that Orissa is a focus state for Indian Railways. Odisha has minerals as well as tourism potential but development is lacking in the province due to lack of connectivity. To improve the connectivity infrastructure in a particular state, Indian Railways is now forming Joint Venture with state governments. Sharing of ownership will lead to more leverage in creating connectivity in the State.

The proposed railway line between Jeypore and Malkangiri will serve the remote areas of Koraput and Malkangiri districts of Western Odisha, which have no railway connectivity. The entire line will be passing through hilly terrain and thick forests.