Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday wrote to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal urging him to take early steps for realignment of the proposed 41-km Digha-Jaleswar broad gauge rail project to make it pass entirely through Odisha and its early completion.
“The Digha-Jaleswar broad gauge rail project sanctioned by the Ministy of Railways in the year 2011-12 has been stalled due to non-acquisition of land for seven km by West Bengal. Kindly, consider my proposal of diverting the route to make it entirely run through Odisha. I assure you of full cooperation for land acquisition and all other necessary support that would be needed by Railways from my State,” mentioned Patnaik
Notably, a length of 7 km of the project passes through West Bengal and 34 km of length passes through Baleswar district. The project has been halted as West Bengal has not acquired land for the stretch of 7 km.
The Chief Minister mentioned that he had made a proposal to the then Prime Minister in June 2011 to change in the alignment in broad gauge railway line so that the entire rail line would pass through Odisha.
“The proposed realigned line will pass through the Odisha touching various pilgrim and tourist spots like Bhusandheswar, Chandaneswar and Talasari-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,” he stressed.