The issue of negligence of Indian Railways towards the development of Odisha was discussed in a meeting organised by the Railway Consumers Association held here on March 18.
It was discussed that although the Railways collects Rs 20,000 crore annually from Odisha, the amount it sanctions for the development of the State is very negligible. Besides, only 40% of the sanctioned amount is spent and the rest is sent back as unspent fund. The MPs and MLAs who are supposed to raise their voices are silent on the matter, they said.
Further, it was also discussed how passengers are facing difficulties from regular hikes in fares and lack of infrastructure, like no shed for protection from rain and sun, lack of safety and short height platform, etc in the railway stations.
ArjunaCharanSamantray presided, while NatabarKhuntia, KahnuCharanBehura, Malaya Ghose, IndumatiSahu, Swoumya Pradhan, Nilamani Mishra, Satya Narayan Samantasinghar, among others were present.
