Title - Odisha sets target for Rs 1,100 cr Angul-Sukinda new rail line

Setting a target to start ground levelling work for construction of the 102 kilometer Angul-Sukinda railway line by April 2013, the Odisha government today directed three district collectors to expedite land acquisition process, official sources said."Officials concerned are asked to take steps for early forest clearance for the project," Chief Secretary B K Patnaik said.He said that 1205 acre of private land would be required for the project and around 220 acre of government land and 251 acre of forest land needed to be acquired.The location survey has been completed and alignment of the line has been finalized.The work on the bridge over river Bramhani was in full swing with progress of around 25 per cent, said an official after attending a meeting chaired by the chief secretary.The Angul-Sukinda rail line, considered the lifeline for the industrial and coal belt of the state, would cater to a number of upcoming steel plants and the Talcher coalfields of MCL and serve Angul, Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts.The total traffic projection of the project was estimated at 70.28 million tonne.Besides facilitating movement of coal and iron ore in two directions, the new line would be a reliable, economic and faster alternative for passenger transport, railway sources said.

Around one crore people would be benefited either directly or indirectly by the Line, said a senior official adding that it could generate 14 lakh mandays during construction, they said.

The estimated of cost of the project at present is Rs 1,100 cr, they said.

The new line would cater to the needs of Bhusan Steels, Uttam Galva Steels, Jindal Stailess Steel Ltd, Visa Industries, Tata Steel , Kalinganagr, Monnet Ispat & Energy, Arcelor Mittal India and Rungta Mines.

The project was being implemented in PPP mode in partnership with Rail Vikash Nigam, Government of Odisha, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd and Bhusan Steel & Power Ltd.