Land acquisition for major Odisha rail projects by 2015-end

Land acquisition for major Odisha rail projects by 2015-end

With delay in land acquisition slowing the pace of major railway projects in Odisha, the state government has targeted to complete the land takeover process for such projects by the end of 2015.

"Land acquisition for major rail projects like Khurda Road-Bolangir, Paradeep-Haridsapur and Angul-Duburi-Sukinda Road is moving ahead at a good pace. We hope to complete the land acquisition for these projects by the end of 2015", minister for commerce & transport Ramesh Majhi said in a written reply to the state assembly.

The minister said the government has handed over advance possession of government land for four rail projects to the Railways. These projects are Khurda Road-Bolangir, Paradeep-Haridaspur, Angul-Duburi-Sukinda Road and Talcher-Bimalagarh.

Besides, private land has been handed over to the Railways for Khurda Road-Bolangir (1095.91 acres), Paradeep-Haridaspur (1250.69 acres), Angul-Duburi-Sukinda Road (1016.44 acres) and Talcher-Bimalagarh (168 acres).

While the Khurda Road-Bolangir rail project was sanctioned in 1994-95, Paradeep-Haridaspur, Angul-Duburi-Sukinda Road and Talcher-Bimalagarh were approved in 1996-97, 1997-98 and 2004-05 respectively.

The Railway Budget for 2014-15 has announced Rs 100 crore each for Khurda Road-Bolangir, Angul-Duburi-Sukinda Road and Talcher-Bimalagarh rail links while the Paradip-Haridaspur project has been allocated Rs 187 crore.

Source : Business Standard.