BHUBANESWAR: Expressing displeasure over the "tardy" progress of the Rajsunakhala-Bolagada section of the Khordha-Bolangir rail line, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today asked transport department to ensure that Nayagarh town is connected by March next year.
At a high level meeting here, Patnaik expressed his displeasure while reviewing the progress of Rajsunakhala- Bolagarh section which had earlier been targeted to be completed by June, 2016.
Stating that the rail link was of great importance to the state, Patnaik directed the officials to complete land acquisition, obtain clearance from the Forest and Environment Ministry at the earliest to expedite the project.
He also directed the officials to ensure rail connectivity to Sonepur by expediting the work being undertaken from Balangir side.
The Chief Minister asserted that the state government was providing all cooperation for the rail projects and expects its timely completion.
He lauded the land acquisition process in Nayagarh, Bolangir, Boudh, Subarnpur districts and directed the revenue department officials to keep constant track in that regard.
The state government has promised 50 per cent of the expenditures to be incurred for the Khurda-Bolangir project besides providing land free of cost for the 289 km rail link.
So far land for 109 km has been transferred to the railways for the project.
Talking to mediapersons after the meeting, Transport Minister Ramesh Majhi said, "As per the directive of the Chief Minister, the work started from Bolangir side last December.
The target is to complete the 16-km railway line work by 2018."
The survey work for the Khurda-Bolangir rail project was done way back in 1945. It had a budget of Rs 1,100 crore.
The project is expected to benefit five districts Nayagarh, Khurda, Boudh, Sonepur and Bolangir.