CM urges Goyal for realignment of Jaleswar-Digha railway line

Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday wrote to Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal for realignment of Jaleswar-Digha Broad Gauge Rail Project sanctioned in 2011-12 under South Eastern Railways.

The construction for the same is yet to start because of land acquisition issues in West Bengal.

The realigned line will pass through pilgrim and tourism spots in Odisha like Bhusandheswar, Chandaneswar and Talsari-Udayapur Beach. It will aid tourism development and have a significant impact on socio-economic growth of the region.

Chief Minister Patnaik assured full support of the State Government in terms of land acquisition and other facilitations to take the project forward.

The Digha-Jaleswar Board Gauge Rail Project (41 kms) was sanctioned by the Ministry of Railways in 2011-12.

In a letter to Goyal, Patnaik said, “Even after seven years of its sanctioning, the project has not yet taken off in terms of construction. It is learnt that the project has been kept on hold as land acquisition in West Bengal portion has not progressed.”

“In this connection, I had proposed a change in the alignment of the aforesaid Broad Gauge Railway line on June 13, 2011 addressed to the then Prime Minister. The proposed realigned line will pass through the State touching various pilgrim and tourist spots like Bhusandheswar, Chandanswar and Talsari-Udayapur Beach. Such a change of alignment will not only help in development of tourism but will also aid in improving the socio-economic condition of the region,” said Patnaik.

“I assure you of full cooperation for land acquisition and all other necessary support that would be needed by Railways from my State,” said Patnaik.

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