State seeks Rs 1805 crore for railway sector

Bhubaneswar: With a view to receive a fair share in the upcoming railway budget the Odisha government on Tuesday sought a Central assistance of Rs 1805 crore towards railway development in the state during 2010-2011.

A memorandum to this effect was also sent to prime minister Manmohan Singh and railway minister Mamata Banerjee.

Briefing newsmen here, commerce and transport minister Sanjeev Sahoo said that the state government last year had demanded Rs 1,504 crore of which the railway allocated Rs 715 crore, of which only Rs 653.22 crore has been released.

However, the state government is hopeful this time that the railways would do justice to its legitimate demands, he said, adding that a delegation would visit New Delhi for presenting the state’s demand before the Centre.

Apart from the assistance, the state government also demanded five new coaching terminals, seven model railway stations and two multi-functional complexes.

The demands of the state government include Rs 790 crore for five sanctioned rail links, Rs 100 crore for electrification of five other lines, Rs 100 crore for gauge conversion and extension of two lines including conversion of Rupsa-Bangirposi line and its extension up to Chakulia, and funds for gauge conversion of Nuapada-Gunupur line and its extension till Theruvali.

The memorandum sought Rs 760 crore for doubling of 18 lines against the last year’s sanction of only Rs 390 crore.

The state sought an estimated Rs 6832.36 crore for completion of all the projects.