BHUBANESHWAR: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik today demanded re-commissioning of the crossing stations, which were operational before broad gauge conversion, with new station buildings having adequate amenities at Paralakhemundi, Kasinagar in Gajapati district and the terminal station Gunupur in Rayagada district with provision of funds in the 2017-18 railway budget.
He also demanded sanction of the economically justified new railway line project of 76 kilometers from Gunupur to Theruvali considering the extremely positive rate of return of 18.81 percent.
In a letter to railway minister Suresh Prabhu, the chief minister said the Naupada-Gunupur narrow gauge line was sanctioned for conversion to broad gauge line in 1993. "Unfortunately, while sanctioning the project, Railways adopted a 'one train only' system by abolishing all intermediate crossing stations in the section which were there prior to the conversion," he said.
Now this section, which has commenced operation in 2007-08, has only two stations at the two ends of the railway line, at Naupada in Andhra Pradesh and Gunupur. This has severely curtailed the passenger amenities of people who are travelling from Paralakhemundi and Kasinagar stations, the chief minister said and added, "With the closure of these crossing stations, only three trains are now running over these long stretch with no scope to stop anywhere between Naupada and Gunupur."
The broad gauge line has gained importance because of the increased business activities, commissioning of Gopalpur port, increased income and prosperity of people in Gajapati and Rayagada districts, he said.
The Railways has done a survey to connect Gunupur with Theruvali/Rayagada to provide for a shorter alternative to this line which shows the rate of return for the proposed new line has increased from 9.6 to 18.81 percent, he said.
The Naupada-Gunupur narrow gauge railway line was constructed by the then Maharaja of Paralakhemundi in 1900. The line runs over 90 kilometers with 54 kilometers in Odisha and 36 kilometers in Andhra Pradesh and used to provide railway connectivity to Paralakhemundi and Kashinagar in Gajapati district and Gunupur in Rayagada district.