Since land acquisition is posing a major hurdle in fast-tracking railway projects in Odisha, the State Government has set a target to complete the land takeover process by the end of 2015.
“land acquisition for major rail projects like Khordha Road-Balangir, Paradip-Haridsapur and Angul-Duburi-Sukinda Road is on fast track. We hope to complete the land acquisition for these projects by the end of 2015,” said Minister for Commerce & Transport Ramesh Majhi in a written reply in the State Assembly last week.
He informed that while the Government has handed over advance possession of Government land for four projects to the Railways, some private land has also been acquired from people.
The amounts of private land handed over to the Railways are 1,095.91 acres for Khordha Road-Balangir, 1,250.69 acres for Paradip-Haridaspur, 1,016.44 acres for Angul-Duburi-Sukinda Road and 168 acres for Talcher-Bimalagarh railway line projects.
The Railway Budget for 2014-15 has announced Rs100 crore each for Khordha Road-Balangir, Angul-Duburi-Sukinda Road and Talcher-Bimalagarh rail links while the Paradip-Haridaspur project has been allocated Rs187 crore.
However, the State Government is struggling to acquire the land following staff crunch and permission for diversion of forestland, said sources.
Except Khordha-Balangir, all the three projects would facilitate ore transportation for major industries coming up in the State. The railways have turned out to be the driving force of the State economy and industries.