Source: The New Indian Express
The survey commenced days after Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw showed the sanction order during an election rally at Narasinghpur in Cuttack district. The FLS for the proposed 120 km project was sanctioned on February 7.
Sources said the work order for execution of FLS and preparation of detailed project report was issued on April 8. Survey for finalising the alignment is in progress and the DPR will be submitted to the Railway Board after its completion for further action. The new line will provide rail connectivity to the Nilamadhab Temple at Kantilo and assist in promotion of nature tourism besides extending rail connectivity to unexplored wildlife sanctuaries and reserve forests.
The railway connectivity to the region will also help in creating a new market for brass and bell metal craft at Kantilo and Khandapada areas. Apart from this, the railway line will facilitate freight movement of coal to power plants and ports will boost the economy.
The proposed new line will merge with the ongoing Khurda-Balangir line at Nayagarh town station and take off from Khurda town station to Kaipadar road station in Khurda road-Vizianagaram main line. This will also serve as a bypass line for freight trains bypassing Bhubaneswar and Cuttack.
The Railway Board has sanctioned `3 crore for the final location survey of the railway line. Construction of the line will be expedited after submission of the DPR and the project will be fast-tracked for faster communication and propelling economic activities, sources said.
