RAYAGADA: The 115-year-old Gunupur-Naupada railway line has witnessed little development except a few intermediate initiatives since its inception. Besides converting the track to broad gauge, the locals have been demanding extension of the line from Gunupur to Therubali, a distance of 79 km, to facilitate their convenient connectivity to New Delhi.
It was late Biju Patnaik who had made an aerial survey for Gunupur-Therubali railway link in 1972. The Railways followed it with surveys in 2004, 2006 and 2014. But there has been no substantial progress till date. The locals feel neglected as they look forward to fund allocation in railway budget for the project every year which has not materialised.
The railway connectivity is expected to develop the socio-economic standard of KBK people with the business transactions getting major boost. A strong industrial hub can be created as the trains can open the doors of inter-state industrial growth which would lead to generation of employment opportunity and ultimately revenue.
Besides, the connectivity can cut down the travel time of the commuters of KBK districts who are now forced to cover extra distance through Andhra Pradesh to reach Berhampur and Bhubaneswar. At present, three passenger trains are running from Gunupur to Puri, Visakhapatnam and Palasa.
The locals said if Gunupur is connected to Therubali, people can have an alternative link to Bhubaneswar and New Delhi in shorter time.
According to sources, the Naupada-Gunupur track was laid by the erstwhile Gajapati Maharajas. Initially, the track was laid for light trains by then Maharaja Gaura Chandra Gajapati in 1901 and later extended to Gunupur by Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati. It was meant for use of the Maharajas for inspection of the state and travel of British officials.
After Independence, the track was converted into broad gauge during the NDA Government following persistent demand. At the time, the preliminary survey for Naupada-Therubali broad gauge line was also made at an estimated cost of `380 crores but subsequently abandoned during the UPA Government.
Social activist Akshaya Kumar Dash said the railway should take up the extension of the railway line to Therubali on priority basis in the interest of the KBK district.
Rajya Sabha member N Bhaskar Rao said the rail connection from Gunupur to Therubali is highly necessary for the socio-economic development of the area. “I have taken up the matter with the Railway Ministry,” he said.