Fast track panel constituted to expedite railway projects in Orissa

The Pioneer, July 26, 2008
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar

In a significant decision, the State Government and railway authorities have decided to form a fast track committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to supervise the works of different ongoing rail projects in the State and expedite the works.

A decision to this effect was taken at a high-level meeting between Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Railway Board chairman Kalyan Coomar Jena. Jena called on Patnaik at the State Secretariat. Both railway and State Government officials would be included as members of the committee.

It was decided that all efforts would be taken to build a world class railway station at Bhubaneswar. The Fast Track committee constituted under the Chief Secretary would supervise the works of the railway station also. ":The work will be completed in a time bound manner," said Jena. Sources said efforts would be taken to complete the railway station within three months. Hostels and malls would be set up. Railway authorities have identified 100 acres of land for this purpose between Manheswar and Lingaraj railway station. The hotels and malls would be set on a Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode.

Discussions were also held on regarding the progress on Haridaspur- Paradip, Khurda-Balangir, Lanjigarha-Junagarh and Doupada-Gunupur rail lines.

Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy, Secretary Transport and Commerce Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bijoy Kumar Pattnaik and other senior officials from the railways attended the meeting.