Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan put the ball in the State Government’s court vis-à-vis completion of the under-construction Khordha-Balangir railway on Thursday.
“If the State Government provides all the required land, the whole of the Khordha-Balangiri railway project would be completed in two years’ time,” Pradhan told reporters here.
He said reviewed the project work with both the State and Union Government officials after people across party lines urged him to intervene and ensure that the work is completed as early as possible.
“Work for 15 km line has begun from the Balangir side. The rail line has to be constructed through Sonepur and Boudh till Nayagarh.
Officers said the work will be expedited only after the required land is available from the State Government,” Pradhan said adding that the Ministry of Railways has already sanctioned funds for the project.
Regarding Balangir Bypass, Pradhan said the Ministry of Road and Transport would provide permission for beginning of the work within 15 days of availability of land from the State Government.