ROURKELA: Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram on Wednesday sought intervention of Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to address the long-pending demands for construction of three underpasses and train stoppages at Rourkela and Kalunga stations.
In a letter to Vaishnaw, the Sundargarh MP requested underpasses near Vedvyas and at Kalunga under Rajgangpur Assembly segment and Kapatmunda in Birmitrapur Assembly segment in Sundargarh district, citing heavy public demand and traffic requirements.
Oram said that proposals for stoppages of Pune-Howrah and Howrah-Pune Duronto Express trains at Rourkela were forwarded to Railway Board on November 15, 2023, March 15, 2024 and January 02, 2025, with replies still awaited.
Similarly, proposals for stoppages of CSMT-Howrah and Howrah-CSMT Duronto Express trains were also forwarded with responses pending.
The union minister recalled that proposals for stoppages of Howrah-Jagdalpur and Jagdalpur-Howrah Samaleswari Express trains at Kalunga were sent thrice on January 5 and May 15 in 2024 and January 2, 2025. Proposals for stoppages of Durg-Ara and Ara-Durg South Bihar Express trains at Rourkela were also forwarded to the Railway board, but reply is awaited.
Prior to the pandemic, the Samaleswari Express trains and Rajyarani Express trains had stoppages at Kansbahal station. He urged the Railway minister to direct concerned authorities for expeditious approvals and implementation to ease passenger movement, improve connectivity and ensure safety.