Title - CM Naveen Patnaik demands Centre to allocate more Railway funds to Odisha at par with zonal revenue

Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today writes letter to Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh ahead of Railway budget, demands allocation of funds to Odisha at par with zonal revenue.  In his letter CM Naveen Patnaik said that, "While Odisha continues to be one of the largest contributors to the earnings of Indian Railways, the railway route length and rail density in Odisha is much below the national average. I would request you to kindly ensure allocation of a sizeable part of the revenues generated from Odisha within the State itself for expanding and augmenting rail network. This will allow timely completion of ongoing projects which are of critical importance for the economic development of the State and nation." He further added that, " A cursory glance at the Railway map would tell you that large parts of have remained untouched by the Railways. I urge Indian Railways to support the vision of the State Government to connect these backward regions with the National Network." Odisha continues to be one of the most preferred destinations for investment, especially in the metal, mining and power sectors. The Government of Odisha is leveraging this opportunity to plan for systematic and inclusive economic growth by focusing upon the infrastructure development and creating dedicated industrial corridors. The nature of industrial activities in the State requires a robust and well planned railway infrastructure for its sustainability.

As highlighted in my earlier letter to you, the railway route length and rail density in Odisha is much below the national average as also substantially lower than that in neighboring States. In contrast, the gross earnings from various stations in the State of Odisha is estimated to be in of Rs.14,0Ó0 crore during the year 2012-2013. I would request you to ensure allocation of a sizeable part of the revenues generated from Odisha within the State to strengthen and expand the rail infrastructure.

The Central Government has initiated many ambitious projects like dedicated freight corridor aligned with mega industrial hubs, national road expressways and high speed train projects which appear to have completely bypassed the State of Odisha although some of the country's largest investments in the steel, aluminium and power sectors are coming up here. The volume of investments in the State in diverse sectors at different stages is in excess of Rs.8,85,000 crores. My Government have taken Steps to set up ports on the State's Coastline to facilitate both international and coastal maritime trade. It is expected that the growth in rail borne will be in excess of 300 MMTPA in  the next five years. I have been requesting the Ministry of Railways to put in place a time-bound infrastructure upgradation arrangement for the ports ooming up on the Odisha coast. A synchronized development plan between that of the ports and related rail connectivity is a neœssity for maximizing economic gains. In this context, the eastern dedicated freight corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni should be extended to Vishakhapatnam so as to ensure seamless movement of freight between the ports and the vast northern and central hìnterlands of the country. There is a large part of Odisha, especially the backward regions, which have remained untouched by the Railways. The lack of infrastructure has been one of the major reasons which has impeded the socio-economic growth of this region. These areas are also seriously affected by wing extremism. I believe that delivering rail services in the naxal affected regions is one of the best means to channelize deveioprrlent therein and provide Counter active force. Many of the present industrial clusters have attained a stage of saturation in terms of availability of land, water and environmental concerns. Hence, it is imperative that new virgin areas are opened up for industrialization and development. In this context, the construction of Bhadrachalam Road-Talcher rail link via Mall-cangiri, Jeypore, Lanjigarh, SambaIpur-Brahmapur new rail link vía Phulbani and RayagadaGopalpur rail link via Bhismagiri assumes importance. Surveys for these lines have been sanctioned and l would request you to advise the Ministry of Railways to execute these projects on priority basis. These projects should be treated as ‘National Projects'. The State is developing dedicated sector specific Industrial Investment regions with a focused approach on provisioning industrial infrastructure, in the Steei, Aluminum, Coal and Petrochemicals. In the flrst phase, Government of Odisha proposes dedicated rail corridors in the Angul-Talcher Coal belt, Basundhara Coal belt in JharsugudaSuiidargarh and Banspani-Nayagarh iron ore region. These Corridors are proposed to be by multiple users and developed through participative funding. Railway may consider for setting up of SPV for these rail corridors.

Text of Letter of Odisha CM's to Prime Minister  Dated .216.115 Dear Prime Ministerji Sub: Railway Budget 2013-14 Package proposals for Odisha. I take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy New Year. At the outset, l would draw your kind attention to the paltry allocation of funds for Railway proposals in Odisha in the Budget for 2012-13. ln view of the forthcoming Railway budget 2013-14, I am proposing a package for Odisha for your consideration. The package includes proposals for enhanced provision for the ongoing projects, sanctioning of new lines, surveys, introduction of new trains, extension and increase in frequency of existing mail/express trains, improved passenger amenities at stations and on board etc. While Odisha continues to be one of the largest contributors to the earnings of Indian Railways, the railway route length and rail density in Odisha is much below the national average. I would request you to kindly ensure allocation of a sizeable part of the revenues generated from Odisha within the State itself for expanding and augmenting rail network. This will allow timely completion of ongoing projects which are of critical importance for the economic development of the State and nation. A cursory glance at the Railway map would tell you that large parts of have remained untouched by the Railways. I urge Indian Railways to support the vision of the State Government to connect these backward regions with the National Network. Odisha continues to be one of the most preferred destinations for investment, especially in the metal, mining and power sectors. The Government of Odisha is leveraging this opportunity to plan for systematic and inclusive economic growth by focusing upon the infrastructure development and creating dedicated industrial corridors. The nature of industrial activities in the State requires a robust and well planned railway infrastructure for its sustainability.

As highlighted in my earlier letter to you, the railway route length and rail density in Odisha is much below the national average as also substantially lower than that in neighboring States. In contrast, the gross earnings from various stations in the State of Odisha is estimated to be in of Rs.14,0Ó0 crore during the year 2012-2013. I would request you to ensure allocation of a sizeable part of the revenues generated from Odisha within the State to strengthen and expand the rail infrastructure.

The Central Government has initiated many ambitious projects like dedicated freight corridor aligned with mega industrial hubs, national road expressways and high speed train projects which appear to have completely bypassed the State of Odisha although some of the country's largest investments in the steel, aluminium and power sectors are coming up here. The volume of investments in the State in diverse sectors at different stages is in excess of Rs.8,85,000 crores. My Government have taken Steps to set up ports on the State's Coastline to facilitate both international and coastal maritime trade. It is expected that the growth in rail borne will be in excess of 300 MMTPA in  the next five years. I have been requesting the Ministry of Railways to put in place a time-bound infrastructure upgradation arrangement for the ports ooming up on the Odisha coast. A synchronized development plan between that of the ports and related rail connectivity is a neœssity for maximizing economic gains. In this context, the eastern dedicated freight corridor from Ludhiana to Dankuni should be extended to Vishakhapatnam so as to ensure seamless movement of freight between the ports and the vast northern and central hìnterlands of the country. There is a large part of Odisha, especially the backward regions, which have remained untouched by the Railways. The lack of infrastructure has been one of the major reasons which has impeded the socio-economic growth of this region. These areas are also seriously affected by wing extremism. I believe that delivering rail services in the naxal affected regions is one of the best means to channelize deveioprrlent therein and provide Counter active force. Many of the present industrial clusters have attained a stage of saturation in terms of availability of land, water and environmental concerns. Hence, it is imperative that new virgin areas are opened up for industrialization and development. In this context, the construction of Bhadrachalam Road-Talcher rail link via Mall-cangiri, Jeypore, Lanjigarh, SambaIpur-Brahmapur new rail link vía Phulbani and RayagadaGopalpur rail link via Bhismagiri assumes importance. Surveys for these lines have been sanctioned and l would request you to advise the Ministry of Railways to execute these projects on priority basis. These projects should be treated as ‘National Projects'. The State is developing dedicated sector specific Industrial Investment regions with a focused approach on provisioning industrial infrastructure, in the Steei, Aluminum, Coal and Petrochemicals. In the flrst phase, Government of Odisha proposes dedicated rail corridors in the Angul-Talcher Coal belt, Basundhara Coal belt in JharsugudaSuiidargarh and Banspani-Nayagarh iron ore region. These Corridors are proposed to be by multiple users and developed through participative funding. Railway may consider for setting up of SPV for these rail corridors. There is a Constant demand to improve passenger amenities at major railway stations as well asin trains. In this context, it requested to advise Raiiways to expedite execution of a world dass station at Bhubaneswar and holy pilgrimage town of Puri. Similarly, the railway areas are opened up for industrialization and development. In this context, the construction of Bhadrachalam Road-Talcher Rail link via Maikangiri, Jeypore, Lanjigarh, Sambaipur-Brahmapur new Rail link via Phulbani and Rayagada-Gopalpur Rail link via Bhisrnagiri assumes importance. Surveys for these lines have been sanctioned and I would request you t0 execute these projects on priority basis. These projects should be treated as ‘National Projects'. Besides, the work on the already Sanctioned line from Khurda Road to Bolangìr and TaIcher-Bimlagarh needs to be accelerated and completed within a deñnite time schedule. Immediate commencement of work on sections like JeyporeMalkangiri and Bargarh-Nuapada via Padmapur where Surveys have been completed will create new and alternative corridors for movement of thermal ooal and other minerals. The construction work of Lanjigarh Road to Junagarh new B.G.Rail Link also needs to be expedited. A concerted effort needs to be made by all stakeholders to ensure that these rail corridors are commissioned within a definite time schedule. To ensure seamless Bow of traffic and easier access between industrial and mining areas and ports, construction works should commence on the following missing links for which surveys have already been sanctioned. The overall growth in transport demand necessitate augmentation of existing line capacity of arterial routes. In this context, the following doubling works may be sanctioned: While on the subject, I would also like to draw your attention to the expeditious completion of doubling work of Khurda‘ Road Puri link (Phase-II), Cuttack-Barang, Raj Athgarh-Barang and Khurda Road 3"’ line. These projects should be commissioned in 2013-14 with provision of enhanced budgetary allocation. Electriñcation of East Coast rail link from Vishakhapatnam to Kharagpur has been completed. However, it is necessary to also electrify the feeder links in order to bring movement under single traction management. The electriñcation of the following lines may please be sanctioned. I am glad that an SPV for AnguI¬Dubri¬Sukinda Road B.G.Rai| link under the aegis of RVNL has been formed with participation of other stakeholders. The execution of this project should be expedited to support the industrial units in region and the Kalinganagar Industrial Cluster. Various metal based downstream parks are being developed at Kalìnganagar (Steel), Angu|(Stee| Aluminum ) and Jharsuguda (Steel & Aluminium ) and one of the requirement of these units would be packaging units and dontainerization of cargo and modern logistic facilities. In this context, I would request Railways to develop mega logistic parks near the important industrial clusters. I shall also request to take up Certain modernisation initiatives in Odisha. The survey for a high speed rail between HowrahBhubaneswar-Vishakhapatanam-Vijaywada~Chennai should be expedited. There is a constant demand to improve passenger amenities at major railway stations as well on board. In this context, I would request you to expedite the execution of world class station at Bhubaneswar and holy pilgrimage town of Puri. Similarly, the railway stations at important district oentres and major tourist destinations need special attention to provide mu|ti¬functional complexes and upgraded passenger amenities, Increased allotment may be made for providing improved and modern facilities at these stations. To meet the traveling need of the daily goers, DMUIMEMU services should be introduced in Sambalpurdharsuguda»Rourkela, Brahmapur-Balasore corridor and Rourkela-Keonjhar via Barbil. A new train service from Puri to Pune and Mumbai via Sambalpur and Tlliagarh has also become essential. The existing express service between Bhubaneswar and Keonjhar needs to be extended to Jamshedpur via Banspani. The intercity express between Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur may be converted into air-conditioned doubie decker coaches in view of the increased passenger and demand. In addition, it is requested to introduce the following new trains: Considering the high ievei of patronization and persistent demand from the travelling public, I would request you to increase the frequency of following popular trains:

Cuttack and Bhubaneswar together are deveioping as twin cities. As per the Comprehensive Development Plan prepared by IIT, Kharagpur for Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the combined population shall be 2.7 million by the year 2021 which shall necessitate a Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS). Tnis would be the appropriate time to commence detailed planning for rail based city transport system in the greater Bhubaneswar region. The operationalization of East Coast Railway has brought railway management closer to the people and problems of Odisha. However, for better coordination and proper facilitation for bulk customers, it is necessary to extend the jurisdiction of East Coast Railway (ECQR) to include Banspani-Padapahar section, BhadrakLakhrnannath section in Khurda Road Division and JharsugudaBarasuan-Kiriburu, and Jharsuguda-Himagiri section in Sambalpur Division. Besides, appropriate functional reorganization of ECoR will necessitate the creation of new Railway Divisions at Jajpur-Keonjhar Road, and at Rayagada. I would also urge you to expedite the setting up of the Wagon Factory at Sitalapali in Ganjam which was declared in Budget for the year 2011-12 and also take steps to establish a railway apprentice training centre in the backward KBK region to support the skills development and increase employability of the people of this region. I would also request you to strengthen the rail project execution infrastructure in the State with adequate deployment of officials and staff for time-bound implementation of the projects. A brief on the proposed railway package for Odisha for the year 201314 containing proposals for newlines, doubling, eiectriñcation, gauge conversion, passenger amenities, introduction of new trains etc. is enclosed herewith for your consideration.

stations at important district centers and major tourist destinations need special attention to provide muIti¬functional complexes and upgraded passenger amenities. Bhubaneswar-Cuttack region which is planned as mega urban complex also needs to have a rail based urban transport system. l would also like to urge upon you to advise the Minisüy of Railways for strengthening of rail project execution infrastructure in the State with adequate deployment of and staff for time bound implementation ofthe projects. A brief on the proposed railway package for Odisha for the year containing proposals for new lines, doubling, electrìfìcation, gauge conversion, passenger amenities, introduction of new trains etc. is enclosed herewith for your consideration, l hope my proposal would receive your personal attention.   With regards Your sincerely   Naveen Patnaik