BHUBANESWAR: Even after five months of the BJP government in Odisha and the ‘double-engine’ of Centre and state working in tandem, land-related bottlenecks continue to stall some of the major infrastructure projects, including new railway lines and national highways.
The BJP, which accused the previous BJD government of inefficiency in resolving land-related issues, now faces growing criticism for failing to address the long-standing challenges.
The railway projects that have been delayed for years include 301-km Khurda Road-Balangir, 149.78 km Talcher-Bimalagarh, 41.9 km Jeypore-Nabarangpur, 126 km Jeypore-Malkangiri, 138 km Baragarh Road-Nuapada Road, 116.21 km Junagarh-Nabarangpur, 173.6 km Malkangiri-Pandurangapuram via Bhadrachalam, extension of Nuapada-Gunupur line up to Theruvali (73.62 km) and 32 km Puri-Konark new lines.
Among the major second, third and fourth lines, 164.56 km Koraput-Singapur Road doubling project, third and fourth lines between Jarpada and Budhapank (91 km), Salegaon and Budhapank (170 km), Sarla-Sasan patch of Sambalpur division (16 km) and third line between Vizianagaram-Titlagarh (264.6 km) and Bhadrak-Nergundi (92 km) are also facing land hurdles.
Apart from the railway lines, some important and long flyovers, including the structures at Baghuapal, Sambalpur city-Sarla, Haridaspur, Siju-Paradip coaching yard, Titlagarh, Sambalpur-Sambalpur city and Khurda Road from Puri-end and the 12.6-km bypass line from Rahenbata to Sikir by passing Titlagarh have been delayed due to land issues.
Sources said, land acquisition and disputes over handing over land in Nayagarh, Boudh, Subarnapur, Balangir, Sundargarh and Angul districts in connection with the Khurda Road-Balangir are yet to be resolved even over three decades after the project was sanctioned and despite repeated consultations and reminders from the railway authorities.
In Talcher-Bimlagarh new line project, of 247.64 acre of private land in Sundargarh district, 171.45 acre has been acquired and partial possession of 138.11 acre of government land has been obtained. Similarly, land acquisition issues continue to prevail in Deogarh and Angul districts.
Similarly, NH-55, Ranchi-Sambalpur Economic Corridor, Chandikhole-Paradip NH-53, expansion of Panikoili-Remuli NH-20, Bhadrak-Balasore NH-16 and Capital Region Ring Road along with the much-awaited coastal highway continue to face hurdles due to land acquisition disputes.
Sources said the land issues were thoroughly discussed at a recent high-level meeting chaired by chief secretary Manoj Ahuja. He directed the Revenue and Forest departments along with the collectors of districts concerned to expedite the land handover process.
“We are working on fast-tracking compensation settlements and streamlining coordination with the central agencies. The groundwork is being done to address all challenges and ensure that there will be no further delay,” said a senior officer who attended the meeting.