Archive for the 'SER' Category

SER needs to have a division HQ in Odisha (possibly in Rourkela) as more than 22% (and growing) of its route kms lie in Odisha; and without a proper voice from Odisha SER has been neglecting and making blunders in Odisha (work in progress)

APPEAL to readers, Balasore, Balasore-Baripada-Rasgovindpur, Baripada - Bangiriposi (under constr.), Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Rourkela- Kansbahal, Rupsa Jn - Baripada, SER, Sundergarh 38 Comments »

Please help me fill the missing data in the table below. (The important data we need is the route kms for the red states in Column 2 as those states do not have a division HQ of that zone.)

Zones, Zone HQ (Route kms from page 13 of 2009-10 yearbook) States where the zones lie (Route km break up) Division HQs and states they lie in
Central, Mumbai (3905) [wiki,home,map] Maharashtra, Karnataka, MP. Bhusawal, Mumbai, Nagpur, Pune, Solapur (all Maharashtra)
Eastern, Kolkata (2414) [wiki,home,No map] West Bengal, Bihar Asansol, Howrah, Malda, Sealdah (all West Bengal)
East Central, Hazipur (3628) [wiki,home, No map] Bihar, Jharkhand, UP Danapur (Bihar), Dhanbad (Jharkhand), Mughalsarai (UP), Samastipur (Bihar), Sonpur (Bihar)
ECOR, Bhubaneswar (2572) [wiki,home,map] Odisha (1807.25), Chhatisgarh (268.50), AP (570.64)=2646.39 [from map] Khurda Rd (Odisha), Sambalpur (Odisha), Visakhapatnam (AP)
Northern, New Delhi (6968) [wiki,home,map] Punjab, Delhi, UP, J & K, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, Chandigarh Ambala (Haryana), Delhi, Firozpur (Punjab), Lucknow (UP), Moradabad (UP)
North Central, Allahabad (3151) [wiki,home,map]  UP, MP, Rajasthan, Haryana Agra, Allahabad, Jhanshi (all UP)
North Eastern, Gorakhpur (3667) [wiki,home]  UP, Uttaranchal, Bihar Izzatnagar (UP), Lucknow (UP), Varanasi (UP)
Northern Frontier, Guwahati (3907) [wiki,home,India map] WB, Bihar, Assam, Tripura, Manipur, Nagaland, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh Alipurdar (WB), Katihar (Bihar), Lumdig (Assam), Rangiya (Assam), Tinsukia (Assam)
North Western, Jaipur (5459) [wiki,home,map] Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, MP. Ajmer, Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur (all Rajasthan)
Southern, Chennai (5098) [wiki,home] Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Pondicherry Chennai (TN), Madurai (TN), Palghat (Kerala) Trichi (TN), Trivendrum (Kerala)
South Central, Secunderabad (5803) [wiki,home,map]

AP (4348.4), Maharashtra (1115.8), MP (70.2), Tamil Nadu (6.9),  Karnataka (268.7) = 5810
[from map]

Guntakal (AP), Guntur (AP), Hyderabad (AP), Nanded (Maha), Secunderabad (AP), Vijaywada (AP)
SER, Kolkata (2631) [wiki,home]

West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha (589+)

2004 data: West Bengal (894), Jharkhand (954), Odisha (574.6) = 2422.6

Adra (WB), Charadharpur (Jharkhand), Kharagpur (WB), Ranchi (Jharkhand)
SE Central, Bilaspur (2447) [wiki,home,no map]

Chhatisgrh (891.3), Maharashtra (662.3), Odisha (51.1), MP (792.5) = 2397.3 Total [From a 2005 map]

But BG distribution is as follows:
Chhatisgrh (802.3), Maharashtra (482.1), Odisha (51.1), MP (263.6) = 1599.3 [From a 2005 map]

Bilaspur (Chhatisgarh), Raipur (Chhatisgarh), Nagpur (Maharashtra)
South Western, Hubli (3177) [wiki,home,map] Karnataka (2702.6), Andhra Pradesh (224.2), Tamil Nadu (174.3), Maharashtra (27.9), Goa (69.3) = 3198.3 [from map] Bangalore, Hubli, Mysore  (all Karnataka)
Western, Mumbai (6182) [wiki,home,map] Gujarat, Maharashtra, MP, Rajasthan. Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Bhavnagar (Gujarat), Mumbai (Maha), Ratlam (MP), Rajkot (Gujarat), Vadodara (Gujarat)
West Central, Jabalpur (2965) [wiki,home,map] MP, Rajasthan Bhopal (MP), Jabalpur (MP), Kota (Rajasthan)

 

Why it is important that SER have a division in Odisha?

  • As we will show below SER, without a proper representation in Odisha, has badly messed up in Odisha.
  • SER has neglected stations in Odisha. In particular, it has neglected Rourkela, the second largest metropolitan area of Odisha in many ways. For example, Rourkela is not in the list of world-class stations.

How has SER messed up in Odisha?

  • The Rupsa-Bangiriposi conversion to broad gauge has been messed up badly. See page 8-9 of 2006-may-CAG report.
  • Alignment of Jaleswar – Digha line.
  • The dangling lines
  • etc.

 


Having made the point that SER needs to have a division HQ in Odisha, the best location for such a division HQ would be Rourkela. It would of course need a reorganization of the current division break-up. Below we will give some suggestions on a possible reorganization.

 

 

Work starts on Paradeep-Choudwar-Rourkela Industrial Corridor

Angul, Anugul- Talcher - Saranga- Nalconagar, Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, Bhubaneswar-Dhenkanal- Anugul, CKP ... Bhalulata - Rourkela - Jharsuguda Jn - Daghora , Cuttack, Cuttack - Paradeep, Cuttack-Paradip, Dhenkanal, IDCO, Jajpur, Jharsuguda-Sambalpur- Bargarh, Jharsugurha, Jharsugurha- Brajarajnagar- Belpahar, Kendrapada, Khordha, Paradeep port, Paradip - Jatadhari - Kujanga, Rourkela- Kansbahal, Rourkela-Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Sambalpur - Talcher, Sambalpur-Burla-Jharsuguda, Sambaplur- Burla- Bargarh- Chipilima, Sundergarh, Talcher - Barang, Talcher - Bimlagarh (under constr.) 1 Comment »

Following is an excerpt from a report in ibnlive.com.

The state government has started work on development of a railway corridor through Choudwar to Rourkela to allow ease of inward and outward transportation of goods from the industrial hubs and mining belts along the region.

Land acquisition for the project, the first of its kind initiative by a state government, has already been initiated by the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco). The project would go on ground after the land acquisition and is targeted to be completed by 2015, said Idco CMD Priyabrata Patnaik on Friday.

The corridor involves development of extensive rail and road connectivity, along with provisioning of water supply and other infrastructural facilities. The corridor would encompass two track railway lines and six-lane road passing through the industrial hubs and the coal mining belts. New industrial areas and downstream units would be developed along the corridor.

Common infrastructure facilities under the corridor would solve the problems of inward and outward transportation of goods and minerals. The stretch would pass through the heart of coal mining operations in the state, which harbours about 65 billion tonne of reserves. The coal reserves in the Talcher belt only is around 43 billion tonne.

The corridor would cover 17 large and mega-industries, along with 57 other units, through the stretch from Choudwar to Rourkela. Traffic projection on the route is given out as 8.7 million tonne.

The route would have 163 km of railway track length and 465 km on road. As many as 308 minor bridges and 77 major bridges would have to be constructed on it, said Patnaik.

Note 1: The 163 km of railway track probably refers to the Talcher-Bimlagarh segment.

Note 2: Although the above report only mentions the Choudwar-Rourkela part, in earlier documents there is mention of Paradeep-Choudwar-Rourkela industrial corridor. See for example this 2009 Business Standard report. Following are some excerpts from that.

The Orissa government plans to develop an industrial corridor running from Paradeep to Rourkela through industrial hubs like Choudwar, Talcher and Sambalpur.

Though the initial proposal was to have an industrial corridor originating from Choudwar to Rourkela, the proposal was modified to extend the corridor till Paradeep to allow inward and outward transport of goods through the Paradeep port, sources said.

… The proposed industrial corridor will be in line with the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and is designed to pass through national highway no.42 and national highway no 5 (A).

Under the project, both road and rail corridor will be developed, which will be the backbone of the proposed project. The industrial estates and down stream units would be developed over 25 km area on both sides of the corridor.

IL&FS has been appointed as the consultant for the project and it has already submitted the pre-feasibility study report to the industry department on the project. However, the detail cost of the project is yet to be worked out yet, sources added.

The latest initiative of the state government follows a similar initiative to develop a common ‘rail-road-water pipeline and infrastructure corridor’ in Meramundali-Angul-Talcher-Chhendipada belt, to facilitate movement of coal in the Talcher coalfield area.

The project is estimated to cost about Rs 5000 crore including Rs 2000 crore for 2-line rail corridor and Rs 1100 crore for 4 lane road alongside it. The land width of the proposed corridor will be 300 metre which includes 60 metre for road and 20 metre for water pipeline.

The total length of the corridor is 137 kilometre which includes length of 43 number of major bridges to be constructed on this stretch. RITES Ltd has already submitted a pre-feasibility report to the state owned Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation of Orissa Ltd. (Idco) on the project.

The project is designed to have multi-point centralised loading stations conceived along the corridor rather than individual bulb connections with a view to avoid interference or wastage of coal bearing areas. Road and water pipe alignment will run parallel to rail alignment, sources said.

It will be connected to rail line at three locations- Jharpada, Angul and Budhapanka. The common corridor will have multiple entry and exit points and no surface crossing. Besides, flyovers are proposed to avoid cross movements at junction stations.

This ‘rail-road-water pipeline and infrastructure corridor’ in Meramundali-Angul-Talcher-Chhendipada belt is projected to handle 113 million tonne coal by 2014-15. It includes 55 million tonne coal movement required by the power companies, 40.76 million tonne by steel companies and 17.22 million tonne by other industries.

Jammu Tawi-Hatia Express to be extended till Rourkela from November 12

Railway Budget 2011, Rourkela - Biramitrapur, Rourkela- Kansbahal, Sundergarh, Time table and websites 62 Comments »

Update: The updated train timings of this extended train is as follows. It is slower than expected and takes 4 hours between Rourkela and Hatia. But those extra stops, many in Jharkhand, makes it easy for the Jharkhand people to accept this extension. That may be the reason it has these many stops in between.


(Thanks to rourkelacity.com for the pointer to this topic.)

Following is from a report in Telegraph.

… the Jammu Tawi-Hatia Express will be extended till Rourkela from November 12. Hitherto, Rourkela could enjoy the services of only Hatia-Puri Tapaswini Express, Hatia-Bhubaneswar Garib Rath Express and Hatia-Jharsuguda Passenger.

The above report is from the Jharkhand edition of Telegraph. It is nice to hear that they are taking this news positively, unlike many places which complain when a train originating/terminating from their city is extended.

Although this is a slow train with many stops, this will be the first direct connection between a city in Odisha and Jammu Tawi. The major en-route stops of this train are: Muri, Allahabad, Kanpur, Tundla, Aligarh, Delhi, Sonipat, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar and Pathankot Jn. From Ranchi it currently takes 30:25 hrs to Delhi. It takes about 2:30-3 hrs from Rourkela to Ranchi. So from Rourkela it will take about 33 hrs to Delhi. In comparison Utkal Express plus the 08177 Tata-JSG special takes 26:25 + 2:20 = 28:45hrs. So although it is not that good an alternative to travel to Delhi, it provides new connectivity between Rourkela to many other cities such as: Allahabad, Kanpur, Tundla, Aligarh, Sonipat, Panipat, Kurukshetra, Ambala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Pathankot Jn and Jammu Tawi.

This extension is the result of the efforts of the people of Rourkela. Their movement to provide better connectivity and facilities at Rourkela should be energized by this initial result.


From an initial look, Rourkela has good connectivity to places in the west (Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, etc.) and Kolkata.

With the above mentioned train the connectivity to Delhi will be decent and as mentioned their will be new connectivity to many new cities in the North. (Earlier there was only a biweekly train to/from Varanasi.)

In terms of connectivity to Southern cities the main trains are: the daily Allepey train with stoppages at Vizianagaram, Vizag, Vijaywada, Chennai, Coimbatore, Palghat, and Kochi (Ernakulum); thrice a week to/from Bangalore via Vijaywada and Tirupati; and weekly to Hyderabad. So the connectivity to Bangalore and Hyderabad needs to be improved urgently. Connectivity to/from Hyderabad could be easily improved by extending the biweekly Sambalpur-Nizamabad express to Rourkela. (One needs to check the current rake-sharing arrangements for it.)


The site http://rourkelarail.wetpaint.com/page/DEMANDS lists a bunch of demands from some railfans from Rourkela. It would help if they make a prioritized list of their demands for trains (new, extensions, frequency increases): Top, Top 3, Top 5. Note that diversions and rerouting of trains is extremely rare as the people in the current routes (who will lose that train) will oppose it. So such demands undermine the effort.

With daily trains to Bhubaneswar/Cuttack/Puri and Jamshedpur/Howrah Joda – Barbil get better connected

Bolanikhadan - Padapahar, Gua - Barajamda, Jakhapura - Daitari, Jaroli - Deojhar .. Chaibasa, Keonjhar Comments Off on With daily trains to Bhubaneswar/Cuttack/Puri and Jamshedpur/Howrah Joda – Barbil get better connected

Joda and Barbil are twin towns in Keonjhar district of Odisha; they are 8-10 kms apart. These towns are surrounded by many mines and also have many industries. With the recent extension of the train from Puri to Bansapani, which is near Joda, the twin towns now have daily trains both to/from Cuttack/Bhubaneswar/Puri as well as to/from Jamshedpur (a passenger and a Jan shatabdi) and Howrah (the Jan Shatabdi). There is also a fast passenger connecting Keonjhar to Bhubaneswar.

Odisha related ECOR and SER new lines allocations for 2011-12 and spending during 2010-11

Angul - Talcher - Sukinda (under constr.), Haridaspur - Paradeep (under constr.), Jaleshwar-Digha, Khurda Rd - Balangir (under constr.), Lanjigarh Rd - Junagarh, New Lines, Railway Budget 2010, Railway Budget 2011, Talcher - Bimlagarh (under constr.) 6 Comments »

The above can be obtained by looking at the appropriate pages of this year’s pink book and last year’s pink book. Following are images cut from both.

From 2011-12 Pink book

Following are some observations based on the above:

  1. Khurda Rd-Balangir: It seems 115.8 crores is expected to be spent on Khurda-Balangir line during March 2010-March 2011. This is close to the 120 crores that was allocated in the 2010-11 budget. So I am not sure why the budget was slashed to 60 crores. My guess is that last year they spent the money in building on the land they had already acquired. Now they need to acquire more new land to build and so until enough new land is acquired a lot of money could not be allocated for construction. The blame here lies with the railways for not anticipating in advance and not buying enough land in the previous years. The Odisha government should have also monitored this and prodded ECOR to buy enough land in advance. A bit of good news is that the budget speech explicitly mentions that Khurda Rd-Begunia will be completed this year.
  2. Talcher-Bimlagarh: Last year the allocation was 50 crores. However, it is anticipated that 99.4-37.98= 61.42 crores will be spent on this during March 2010-March 2011. For the 2011-12 the allocation is 66 crores, and the budget speech explicitly mentions that some part of this line will be completed this year.
  3. Angul – Sukinda: In 2010-11 the allocation was 22.5 crores, out of which only 12.7 crores is expected to be spent during March 2010-March 2011. For the 2011-12 the allocation is a substantial one consisting of 27 crores (RVN) plus 169.15 crores (PPP). It is not clear where the PPP money is coming from. If it is from the Odisha government or Odisha industries then railways should not take credit for it.
  4. Haridaspur – Paradeep: In 2010-11 the allocation was 101 crores, out of which 79.6 cores (=251.2-171.6 ) is expected to be spent during March 2010-March 2011. For the 2011-12 the allocation is a substantial one consisting of 10 crores (RVN) plus 169.15 crores (PPP). It is not clear where the PPP money is coming from. If it is from the Odisha government or Odisha industries then railways should not take credit for it.
  5. Daitari – Banspani: I am not sure what the deal here is. This line is supposed to be complete. I don’t know why there is a 70 crores budget for this.
  6. Lanjigarh Rd – Junagarh: This line has an allocation of 10 crores and will be completed this year. Once that is done  Ispat Express should be extended to Lanjigarh Rd or Bhawnipatna and a Bhawniaptana – Bhubaneswar express should be introduced.

Now let us move to SER.

  1. Jaleswar – Digha (41 kms): Last year 20 crores were allocated to it. But only 2 crores is expected to be spent during March 2010-March 2011. For the 2011-12 the allocation is a substantial one consisting of 150 crores. Also due to some modification in the plan the overall estimated cost has gone up from 255.11 crores to 533.63 crores. The modification includes a segment in West Bengal. It is not clear how much of the allocated 150 crores will be spent in the Odisha part and how much in the newly tagged on West Bengal part.

The overall new lines budget for 2011-12 is 733.4 crores. But if one takes out the PPP part then it is only 393 crores. And then, if the Jaleswar-Digha part is West Bengal centric and one takes 150 crores for it out then the total reduces to only 243 crores. Is Mamata Banerjee hoodwinking Odisha here?

See http://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/archives/3272 for how it compares with previous years budgets. See http://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/archives/4638 for a tabular listing of the new line budget over the years. See http://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/archives/3202 for an old projection to the future.

Demand for an ECOR rail division in Rourkela grows

Baripada - Bangiriposi (under constr.), Bhadrakh - Dhamara (port conn. planned), Buramara - Chakulia, CKP ... Bhalulata - Rourkela - Jharsuguda Jn - Daghora , ECOR, Jaleshwar-Digha, Rourkela - Biramitrapur, Rourkela- Kansbahal, Rupsa Jn - Baripada, Sundergarh 15 Comments »

Following is an excerpt from a report in expressbuzz.com.

How justified is the demand to carve out a separate railway division at Rourkela under the East Coast Railway (ECoR)? Given the continuing neglect towards the infrastructure and passenger amenities over decades, the demand is gaining momentum.

With apolitical and political outfits jumping on the bandwagon to seek separation of Rourkela from the Chakradharpur division of the South Eastern Railway (SER), the Railway Ministry is likely to feel the heat ahead.

Train Passenger Steering Committee convener and Rourkela Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Subrat Patnaik in tandem with the members of the Rourkela Development Forum (RDF) and Rourkela Railfanning Association (RRA) are vociferous in their demand. The local BJD unit has gone a step ahead to threaten disruption of mineral transportation by rail if the issue was not sorted out.

Locals feel, in the changed scenario, the triangular districts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Keonjhar – high on industrial and mining activities – would no longer tolerate further neglect as Sundargarh alone annually contributes ` 800 crore to SER.

… Inadequate train services and infrastructure apart, the lingering of the proposed Bimlagarh-Talcher rail link is a stark pointer of neglect, they stated.

Even 10 per cent of the revenue generated from the regions is not spent to benefit a population of over 50 lakh.

RDF and RRA members Dilip Mohanty, Mahendra Mishra, Mihir Swain and Supratik Mishra sent a memorandum to the Railway Ministry over the demand claiming the combined revenue share from these three districts is anything over ` 2,200 crore.  …

The fact that there is an ECOR division in Sambalpur (147 kms from Rourkela) and Chakradharpur (101 kms from Rourkela) should not be a concern as there are many railway divisions that are much closer. In http://www.rourkelacity.com/top-news/rourkelare-rela-division/ it is mentioned that there are separate rail divisions in Varanasi and Mughalsarai that are only 17 kms apart, Guntur and Vijaywada that are 34 kms apart and so on. 

The petition at http://www.petitionodisha.in/transportation/creating-a-new-east-coast-railway-division-at-rourkela/ lists various reasons why a ECOR rail division in Rourkela is needed. Please visit it and sign it.


There is also a similar need for a railway division in Rayagada or Kesinga/Lanjigarh Rd/Bhawanipatna to cater to existing lines and to the many new lines that are coming up there. The new lines include Naupada-Gunupur and its extension to Therubali and Lanjigarh Rd – Junagarh and its extension to Nabarangpur and Jeypore.  With many people in Viskhapatnam demanding that the VSKP division be split from ECOR, if that happens the Odisha part of the current VSKP division as well the above mentioned new lines should be moved to the proposed division at  Rayagada or Kesinga/Lanjigarh Rd/Bhawanipatna.

In North Odisha with several new lines coming up (Bhadrakk – Dhamara, Chakulia – Buramara, Jaleswar – Digha, ) and with the commencement of broad gauge service in the Rupsa-Baripada-Bangiriposi line a new division in Balasore or Bhadrak is warranted. SER greatly meshed up the Rupsa-Baripada-Bangiriposi line costing Indian Railways significantly. See page 8-9 of 2006-may-CAG report. These parts should also be taken away from SER.

Sambalpur-Howrah via Angul weekly express to commence from Dec 11th 2010

KGP...Lakshannath Rd - Bhadrakh, Railway Budget 2010, Rajathagara - Nergundi, Sambalpur - Talcher, Time table and websites 4 Comments »

Following is an excerpt from http://orissadiary.com/CurrentNews.asp?id=22808.

As announced in the last Railway Budget, Ministry of Railways has decided to introduce three new trains in East Coast Railway jurisdiction. Puri-Howrah-Puri daily Duronto Express will be introduced from 7th December 2010; Sambalpur-Howrah-Sambalpur weekly Express from 10th December & Puri-Digha-Puri weekly express will be introduced from 11th December 2010.
 
2278 Puri-Horah Duronto Super Fast Express will leave Puri at 06.45a.m and will arrive at Howrah at 01.45p.m. In the return direction, 2277 Howrah-Puri Duronto Super Fast Express will leave Howrah at 02.25p.m and will arrive at Puri at 09.40p.m. This train has One AC Chair Car, 11 Second Class Chair Car and Two Guard vans having no intermediate stoppage.
 
2586 Sambalpur-Howrah weekly Super Fast express via Angul & Bhadrak will leave Sambalpur at 07.55p.m. on Fridays and will arrive at Howrah at 07.05a.m. on the next days. Similarly, in the return direction, 2585 Howrah-Sambalpur weekly Super Fast express via Bhadrak and Angul will leave Howrah at 08.55p.m on Saturdays and will arrive at Sambalpur at 08.10a.m. on the following days. This train has One AC-2 tier, One AC-3 tier, Six Sleeper Classes, Six General Second Class Coaches and Two Guard cum Luggage vans in its composition having stoppages at Rairakhol, Boinda, Angul, Talcher Road, Dhenkanal, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Bhadrak, Balasore and Kharagpur between Sambalpur and Howrah.
 
2580 Puri-Digha weekly Super Fast express will leave Puri at 11.35p.m on Saturdays and will arrive at Digha at 09.30a.m on the next days. In the return direction, 2579 Digha Puri weekly Super Fast express will leave Digha at 05.15p.m. on Sundays and will arrive Puri at 03.20a.m. on the following days. This train has One AC-2 tier, One AC-3 tier, Eight Sleeper Classes, Six General Second Class Coaches and Two Guard cum Luggage vans in its composition having stoppages at Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Bhadrak, Balasore, Kharagpur, Panskura, Tamluk and Kanthi between Puri & Digha. But presently this train will have One AC-2 tier, One AC-3 tier, Five Sleeper Classes, Three General Second Class Coaches and Two Guard cum Luggage vans in its composition.

I am expecting the Sambalpur-Howrah via Angul weekly express to be made daily in the coming years as it newly connects Sambalpur, Angul,Talcher and Dhenkanal to Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Bhadrak, Balasore and Kharagpur and Angul,Talcher and Dhenkanal to Howrah.

Status of new railway line projects in Odisha; a projection to the future

Angul - Talcher - Sukinda (under constr.), Buramara - Chakulia, Haridaspur - Paradeep (under constr.), Jaleshwar-Digha, Khurda Rd - Balangir (under constr.), Lanjigarh Rd - Junagarh, Railway Budget 2008, Railway Budget 2009, Railway Budget 2010, Railway Budgets, RVNL, Talcher - Bimlagarh (under constr.), Tomka - Jaroli 8 Comments »
New Lines 2006- 07 2007- 08 2008- 09
2009- 10
2010- 11 Spent until 2009- 10 Remai ning
Total

Khurda- Balangir

(289 kms)

23 20 32.34 28.07 120 105.8 474.2 700 Cap

Talcher- Bimlagarh

(154 kms)

10 15 10 10 50 37.98 722.8 810.8 Cap

Haridas pur- Paradip

(82 kms)

44 20 80 70 101 RVN

21.9 Cap

171.61 RVN

299.83 RVN

21.9 Cap

572.4 RVN

Angul- Sukinda Rd

(98.7 kms)

20   60 75 22.5 RVN

20.88 Cap

13.5 RVN

581.62 RVN

20.88 Cap

617.6 RVN

Lanjigarh Rd – Junagarh

(56 kms)

19 12 35 30 60 169.31 0.69 170 cap

Daitari – Bansa pani

(155 kms)

155.6   20 60 75 RVN

367 cap

671.85 RVN

186.56 RVN

367 Cap

933.4 RVN

Jaleswar- Digha

(41 kms)

    Did not exist Did not exist 20 (new) Did not exist 235.11 255.1 Cap

Buramara – Chakulia

with upgrad ation  of Rupsa – Buramara

(125 kms)

        under progress as an RVNL SPV.     466.5 RVN

Gunupur- Theruvali (79 kms)

(Naupada  – Gunupur 90 kms gauge conver  sion is now complete)

N-G 34 N-G 25    

Already surveyed.

But listed as a soc. desirable project. 

Odsiha should push hard for this to be designa ted as a port conn. (to Gopalpur port) project and taken up via RVN SPV.

  Odisha govt. has also indicated to push this as a PPP project.  
Total allocation on new lines (NL) and gauge conver sion (GC)

Rupsa – B 15.9

Other – 4.1

Total – 325.6 crores

Rupsa – B 35

other – 5

Total – 132 crores

244.34 + 65 = 309.34 275.07+ 36.14 = 311.21

ECOR NL – 428.7

ECOR GC – 5

SER NL – 20

SER GC – 1

Total = 454.7

2004 – 199 crores

 


   
New Lines 2006 – 07 2007- 08 2008- 09 2009- 10 2010- 11 Spent until 2009- 10 Remain ing Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(All numbers above are in Crores of Rupees. Cap means Capital expenditure and RVN means expenditure through Rail Vikas Nigam.)

2006 had a big allocation of 155.6 crores just for Daitari-Bansapani for its completion. With that done, in 2007 Lalu really screwed [pardon my language!] Odisha with respect to the new lines by having a total budget on new lines and gauge conversion of only 132 crores. (There may have been another 20 crores in that budget in the green book.) Things picked up a bit in 2008 and 2009 and finally now, it is at a decent state.

Now we must make sure that by next year there is approval of Buramra-Chakulia and increase in the allocation for all the other projects that are not completed or about to be completed. A sample projected budget (for new lines) that we should aim for the next seven years is as follows.

  This Yr Remai ning 2011- 12 2012- 13 2013- 14 2014- 15 2015- 16 2016- 17 2017- 18
Khurda – Balangir 120 474.2 130 130 140 100 Done Done Done Done
Talcher – Bimlagarh 50 722.8 100 120 130 140 150 100 Done Done
Haridaspur – Paradip 101 300 100 100 100 Done Done Done Done Done
Angul – Sukinda 22.5 582 40 60 80 100 120 150 50  Done
Daitari – Bansapani 75 187 75 85 20  Done Done Done Done Done
Jaleswar – Digha NEW     20 235 30 30 30 60 80  Done Done Done
Buramara – Chakulia 0 467 NEW 20 50 50 120 120

120

Done

Done
Gunupur – Theruvali 0 450 (est) 0

NEW

20

50 50 100 120 120 Done
Other new lines: Puri Konark; Nabrangpur-Jeypore; Nabrangpur-Junagarh; Jeypore – Malkangiri; Malkangiri – Bhadrachal am

Lanjigarh Junagarh 60

Done

  0 0 NEW1 (1) 20  NEW2 (1) 40  (2) 20 NEW3 (1) 40 (2) 30 (3) 20 NEW4 (1) 60 (2) 60 (3) 40 (4) 20 NEW5 (1)140 (2)130 (3)120 (4) 90 (5) 20
Total 455   495 595 620 630 650 670 670

Other lines that are mentioned in the 2010-11 budget and to be pursued beyond are: Lanjigarh Rd – Phulbani – Talcher, Berhampur – Phulbani, etc.

Balasore demands to be industrialized

Balasore, INDUSTRY and INFRASTRUCTURE, KGP...Lakshannath Rd - Bhadrakh Comments Off on Balasore demands to be industrialized

Following are excerpts from a report in expressbuzz.com.

now there are ample opportunities which can help making the district an industrial rich. While an all weather port at Dhamra is on the verge of completion, another port at Kirtania will come up soon. These ports will attract big industrial houses if the government projects the potentiality,” president of BCIC Himanshu Das said.

The industrial body has demanded setting up of a software park in Balasore along with a land bank of 2000 acres for large and medium industries, development of road water supply and drainage system at different industrial estates in the district, setting up of an urban haat, plastic cluster, marketing assistance to SSI units, uninterrupted power supply, development of ancillary industries and proper implementation of single window system.

This apart, BCIC has drawn the attention of the government on transfer of north Orissa railway area (from Lakmannath to Markona) from South Eastern Railway (SER) zone to East Coast zone. “Besides, we want construction of a new railway siding at Bampada as it is essential to have a full-fledged railway siding to meet the enhanced requirement of industries and trade,” Das added.

RVNL seems to be taking up Buramara-Chakulia new line with upgradation of Rupsa-Buramara

Balasore, Baripada - Bangiriposi (under constr.), Buramara - Chakulia, Dhamara port (under constr.), Mayurbhanj, Rupsa Jn - Baripada, RVNL 3 Comments »

The link http://www.rvnl.org/project/project_desc.php?id=74 has the following.

 NAME OF THE PROJECT–    BURAMARA – CHAKULIA – NEW LINE WITH UPGRADING OF RUPSA – BURAMARA
   
Plan Head NEW LINE PIU CPM KOLKATA
Rly. SOUTH EASTERN Executing Agency RVNL
State ORISSA Funding Source SPV
Length (Kms) 125.00 Status Under Development Stage.
GQ/PC PC Anticipated Cost (Cr.) 466.48

This is the latest addition to the list of RVNL projects. (15 of 60 projects in that list involve Orissa.)  It is listed as a port connectivity (PC) project. Among the various proposed ports in that area, Dhamra port is closest to be operational. This link will shorten Rupsa-Chakulia distance from 167 kms to 125 kms. More importantly it will bypass the busy Kharagpur junction and provide an alternative path to Tatanagar. It will also provide a bypass of the area that sometimes gets flooded by the Subarnarekha river.


The following map illustrates the area. (Thanks to Samit for permitting to use this map fragment from his book.)

The following is from SER’s Kharagpur division map.


 


The complete list of 15 Orissa related projects listed at http://www.rvnl.org/project/project.php are: 

  1. (11) KHARAGPUR (NIMPURA) – BHUBANESWAR (GQ electrification – completed)
  2. (12) BHUBANESWAR – KOTTAVALASA ELECT (GQ electrification – completed)
  3. (14) TALCHAR-CUTTACK-PARADEEP DOUBLING WITH 2ND BRIDGE ON RIVERS BIRUPA AND MAHANADI (GQ doubling completed)
  4. (15) DAITARI – BANSPANI NEW LINE (Port connectivity completed)
  5. (19) ANGUL – SUKINDA NEW LINE (Post connectivity – under development)
  6. (20) JAKHPURA- HARIDASPUR 3RD LINE DOUBLING (Port connectivity – recently sanctioned)
  7. (26) RAJATGARH – BARANG DOUBLING (GQ – work in progress)
  8. (27) CUTTACK – BARANG DOUBLING (GQ – work in progress)
  9. (28) KHURDA ROAD – BARANG 3RD LINE DOUBLING (GQ – work in progress)
  10. (44) HARIDASPUR – PARADEEP NEW LINE (Port connectivity – work in progress)
  11. (53) TOMKA -BANASPANI – RE (Port connectivity, electrification, recently sanctioned)
  12. (54) SAMBALPUR – TITLAGARH – DOUBLING (Port connectivity, recently sanctioned)
  13. (55) RAIPUR – TITLAGARH – DOUBLING (Port connectivity, recently sanctioned)
  14. (60) BANASPANI – JAKHPURA – DOUBLING (Port connectivity, electrification, unsanctioned)
  15. (63) BURAMARA – CHAKULIA – NEW LINE WITH UPGRADING OF RUPSA – BURAMARA (port connectivity, new line, under development)

 With the Gopalpur port getting ready, RVNL should be soon taking up the Gunupur-Theruvali line. 

About 10 km of new lines will create a much shorter rail connection between Rourkela and Barbil

Keonjhar, SER, Sundergarh 3 Comments »

Please see below. I wonder why this is not being pursued?

 

South Eastern Railway Timing changes in the new Time table: Ad in Samaja

Railways, SER, Time table and websites 3 Comments »

As per the schedule below, both Dhauli express and Puri-Kendujhargarh express, after their extensions to Puri and Barbil respectively, would need two rakes each. Barbil to Kendujhargarh is 112 kms but it is scheduled to take five to 5:30 hrs to cover that.

Sampalpur-Angul-Howrah Special: Should it be made a regular train?

Angul, Anugul- Talcher - Saranga- Nalconagar, Balasore- Chandipur, Bhadrakh-Sarla Rd...Vizag, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jajpur Rd- Vyasanagar- Duburi- Kalinganagar, KGP...Lakshannath Rd - Bhadrakh, Rajathagara - Nergundi, Sambalpur, Sambalpur - Talcher, Sambaplur- Burla- Bargarh- Chipilima 18 Comments »

Update: Biswarup Basu in an IRFCA posting pointed out that based on the current schedule this train is  competitive with the 8005/06 Koraput-Howrah Express; 1 hr 5 minutes faster towards Howrah and 15 minutes slower in the other direction.  So many may not mind traveling end-to-end on this train. He thinks there is enough traffic to introduce a daily train in this route.


East Coast Railway is running eight pairs of a special train between Sambalpur and Howrah via Angul. Following is its schedule.

From end-to-end connectivity point of view the path taken by this train is longer than the regular Sambalpur-Rourkela-HWH path.

  • SBP – Howrah : 563 kms
  • SBP – Kapilas Rd (273-15 = 258) + Kapilas Rd – HWH 396  = 654 kms

However, this train would give a direct connection between Howrah and places like Angul, Talcher and Dhenkanal. A train in this route with different times and more stops could also provide direct and useful connection between Sambalpur/Redhakhol/Angul/Talcher/Dhenkanal and Jajpur Rd/Bhadrakh/Balasore.  Perhaps ECOR is exploring a regular train in this route. 

SER to start Rourkela – Bhubaneswar Express soon; its expected impact

Angul, Anugul- Talcher - Saranga- Nalconagar, Bhubaneswar- Cuttack- Puri, CKP ... Bhalulata - Rourkela - Jharsuguda Jn - Daghora , Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Jharsugurha, Jharsugurha- Brajarajnagar- Belpahar, Khordha, Railway Budget 2009, Rourkela- Kansbahal, Sambalpur, Sambalpur - Talcher, Sambaplur- Burla- Bargarh- Chipilima, Sundergarh, Talcher - Barang 9 Comments »

Update: Aug 18, 2009 – As Dilip comments below the train should start its maiden run any day now.


Dilip Mohanty writes the following in an IRFCA posting:

The much awaited Rourkela-Bhubaneswar Express (declared in the current budget in an addition to the 57 new trains) remains a mystery. A leading local daily named "SAMBAD" has reoprted that the train will start within a few weeks and the Railways Authorities at Rourkela have already received an additional time table for this train. It reports that the train will depart Rourkela at morning 05:15 hours and reach Bhubaneswar at 13:15 hours in the afternoon. After a stay of about 30 minutes at Bhubaneswar, it will depart at 13:45 hours and reach Rourkela at 21:45 hours(an expected Superfast). This train is supposed to be operated by South Eastern Railway.

This train will bring up some new convenient 1-change connections.

  • From Bhubaneswar (BBS) to Mumbai: Using this train one can go to Jharsuguda (JSG) and then take Gitanjali that leaves JSG at 21:43. 2860 Gitanjali Express reaches Mumbai CSTM at 21:30 the next day. The total time from BBS to CSTM would be 31 hrs 45 minutes, much less than 1020 Konark which takes 36 hrs 40 mins. The weeklies 2146 and 2880 take 32hrs 15mins and 30hrs 15mins respectively.
  • From Mumbai to Bhubaneswar: 2859 Gitanjali leaves CSTM at 6:00 and reaches JSG the next day at 04:25. One can then take the above Rourkela – Bhubaneswar Express to reach Bhubaneswar at 13:15. The total time from CSTM to BBS would be 31hrs and 15 mins.
  • From Rourkela to Secunderabad: Using this train one can go from Rourkela to Bhubaneswar and then take Konark to go to Secunderabad. Konark leaves Bhubaneswar at 15:15 and reaches Secunderabad the next day at 11:35. The total time from Rourkela to Secunderabad would be 30hrs 20 mins. (One can take Falaknuma that leaves BBSR at 14:05 instead of Konark; but the connection time would be much less making it risky.)
  • From Secunderabad to Rourkela: 2704 Falaknuma leaves Secunderabad at 16:00 and reaches BBS the next day at 10:40. One can then take the BBS-ROU Express to Rourkela to reach ROU at 21:45. The total duartion will be 29 hrs and 45 mins.

New lines under construction and under survey in ECOR

ECOR, SER 1 Comment »

New lines: http://eastcoastrailway.gov.in/common/department-division-info/construction/new-lines.htm

   Daitari – Banspani (155 Km.)
   Koraput – Rayagada (164 Km.)
   Khurda – Bolangir (289 Km.)
   Talcher – Sambalpur (174.112 Km.)
   Langigarh Rd. – Junagarh (56 Km.)
   Haridaspur – Paradeep (82 Km.)
   Sukinda Road – Angul (98 Km.)
   Talcher – Bimalgarh (154 Km.)

New lines under survey: http://eastcoastrailway.gov.in/common/department-division-info/construction/new-lines-under-survey.htm

Jeypore-Kottameta new BG rail link 128 Orissa
Puri-Konark new BG rail link 30 Orissa
Phulbani-Berhampur new BG line 175 Orissa
Talcher/Hindol Road -Gopalpur/Berhampur new BG rail link 245 Orissa
Talcher-Bimlagarh new BG rail link 130 Orissa
Bargarh-Nawapara Road new BG link via Padampur 120 Orissa
Jeypore-Nawarangpur new BG line 45 Orissa

 

 

Calculating Indian Railways’ estimated profit from Orissa in 2008-09

APPEAL to readers, Railway network in Odisha, SECR, SER 1 Comment »
  Total Route kms Route Kms in Orissa

Total estimated Profit in 08-09 (in crores)

Orissa’s portion of the profit (in crores)
ECOR 2430 1607 3077.15 2034.97
SECR 1599 51 2529.89 80.69
SER 2577 589 2467.88 564.06
    2247   2679.72

 

Indian Railways exploitation of backward and tribal areas of Orissa: confronting Railway Board Chair with the facts in Toronto

Balasore - Niligiri (defunct?), Baripada - Bangiriposi (under constr.), EXPOSING ANTI-ODISHA-GROWTH SCHEMES, FINANCE & BANKING, Gajapati, Ganjam, Interstate disputes on Water and rivers, Jaroli - Deojhar .. Chaibasa, Kandhamala, KBK Plus district cluster, Keonjhar, Koraput - Rayagada, Mayurbhanj, Nayagarha, Odisha Consumer Welfare Foundation, Paradip - Jatadhari - Kujanga, Railway maps, Rajathagara - Nergundi, Rayagada, Samaja (in Odia), Sambalpur, Sonepur, Sundergarh, Talcher - Barang, Titlagarh - Jharsugurha Jn, Tomka - Jaroli, Uncategorized 3 Comments »

Following is the news report on the discussion (almost a confrontation) with the Railway Board Chair, as reported in India Abroad. The basic premise behind our grievances against Indian Railways and our demands is simple.

  • Indian railways is scheduled to make 2500-3000 crores/year from Orissa, but spends only 1000 crores/year on Orissa in terms of new lines, doubling and gauge conversion.
  • Its current plan for major spending includes freight corridors, metro rails, and high speed rails, none of which touch Orissa. It plans to do gauge conversion of 12000 kms, most of which is unprofitable (this proves that Indian Railway lies when it says it only does profitable lines), very little (less than 100 km) of which is in Orissa.
  • Orissa is already behind the national average in terms of rail density and way behind its neighbors such as West Bengal and Bihar. If no changes are made to the 11th plan IR allocations Orissa will further fall behind.
  • Indian Railways must not take money from its profit in Orissa, and spend it else where, until it takes care of proper connectivity to Orissa’s tribal, backward and maoist infested areas. The 2500-3000 times 5 = 12,500 -15,000 crore that Indian Railways will profit from Orissa during the 11th plan must be spend in new lines in Orissa until the (i)-(v) lines below and other port and mine connectivity lines are completed during the 11th plan.
  • To Mr. Jena’s retort that Mumbai earns so much in taxes and not all of it is spent in Mumbai; we reply that it is often acceptable to take from rich and give to poor; But when did it become acceptable to take from poor (Orissa) and give to rich (freight corridors etc. in other states)?

The lines in Orissa connecting to the tribal and backward areas that we demand to be finished during the 11th plan are:

  • (i) Khurda Rd – Nayagarh – Balangir: Lack of connectivity was one of the reasons a recent Maoist mayhem happened in Nayagarh. It seems after recent events, including the confrontation with the Railway Board Chair and various dharanas in Bhubaneswar, IR has started responding to this demand, but not to the extent to promise its completion during the 11th plan. Note that Balangir is the B in the KBK districts that are the most backward in India.
  • (ii) Lanjigarh Rd – Junagarh – Nabarangpur – Jeypore – Malkangiri – Bhadrachalam Rd in Andhra Pradesh: Only small part of this is approved. Most of it is not even surveyed. In the long run this will really bring those parts of Orissa closer to the rest of Orissa. This is the most important connection and has to be take care of at the earliest. Like the approved Vijaywada-Ranchi highway, this line will create an alternative Hyderabad – Ranchi path passing through backward and tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand. This line will connect the Kalahandi and Koraput districts, the two K’s in KBK. The recent Maoist attack and killing of the Greyhound forces in Malkangiri might have been prevented if this line existed as then the forces would have used the train rather than being seating ducks taking a boat across a lake in Malkangiri.
  • (iii a) Rayagada – Gopalpur: This has been surveyed and but work on it has not started. Note that Rayagada is part of the undivided Koraput district, one of the K’s of KBK. This line could come under port connectivity and will be a viable line connecting the industries near Rayagada with the upcoming port in Gopalpur.
  • (iii b) Gunupur – Theruvali: This will add to the Naupada-Gunupur line and make it an economically viable line. (IR and Mr. Jena agree about its importance.) This line will be completely inside the Raygada district, part of the undivided Koraput district, one of the K’s of KBK.
  • (iv) Talcher – Bimlagarh (connectivity to the tribal district of Sundergarh): This line has been approved but is only being given a few crores each year, which is less than the inflation. This line will reduce the distance between Sundergarh district and teh coastal areas significantly. For example, it will make Rourkela only 4-5 hrs from Bhubaneswar.
  • (v) Baripada/Buramara – Chakulia: This line will connect the tribal district of Mayurbhanj to tribal areas of Jharkhand. It will add to the Rupsa-Baripada-Bangiriposi line and make it an economically viable line. (IR and Mr. Jena agree about its importance.)

All these lines can be completed if Indian railways just suspends its practice of taking from poor (Orissa) and giving to the rich for only a few years (may be just 3-4 years). The following maps show the above mentioned lines.

ECOR and SER Timetable changes relevant to Orissa

ECOR, Railway Budget 2008, SER Comments Off on ECOR and SER Timetable changes relevant to Orissa

Several new trains, extensions, and frequency increases relevant to Orissa were announced in the 2008-09 Railway budget and the subsequent debate in the parliament. Details about their timings and the route they will take will appear in the Time Table that is usually published on July 1st. Few days prior to that the major changes are released. Following are three such releases. From http://eastcoastrailway.gov.in/custom/press_release/index.php.

Ministry of Railways has decided to introduce eight new trains, extension of two trains, increase in frequency of two trains, speed up of seven trains and timings change for seven trains in ECoR jurisdiction in the New Time Table being implemented from 1st July’08:

 

NEW TRAINS

Two daily new trains, three weekly new trains, two bi-weekly new trains and one tri-weekly trains will be introduced in ECoR jurisdiction in the new Time Table. Introduction of these trains will be notified later.

One new bi-weekly Garib Rath Super Fast Express train will be introduced between Puri and Howrah. 2882 Puri-Howrah Garib Rath Super Fast Express train will leave Puri at 10.00p.m on every Monday and Wednesday and will arrive Howrah at 07.05a.m on the next days. Similarly, in the return direction, 2881 Howrah-Puri Garib Rath Super Fast Express will leave Howrah at 08.55p.m on every Tuesday and Thursday and will arrive Puri at 05.50a.m on the following days.

One new bi-weekly Super Fast Express train will be introduced between Bhubaneswar and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT). 2880 Bhubaneswar – LTT Super Fast Express train will leave Bhubaneswar at 07.20a.m on every Monday and Thursday and will arrive LTT at 01.35p.m on the next days. Similarly, in the return direction, 2879 LTT-Bhubaneswar Super Fast Express will leave LTT at 00.15a.m on every Wednesday & Saturday (Midnight of Tuesday & Friday) and will arrive Bhubaneswar at 07.10a.m on the next days.

One new weekly Express train will be introduced between Puri and Darbhanga. 8419 Puri-Darbhanga Express train will leave Puri at 02.10p.m on every Thursday and will arrive Darbhanga at 11.05a.m on the next days. Similarly, in the return direction, 8420 Darbhanga-Puri Express will leave Darbhanga at 07.15a.m on every Saturday and will arrive Puri at 03.30a.m on the following days.

 

One new weekly Express train will be introduced between Bhagalpur and Yeshvantpur via Bhubaneswar. 2254 Bhagalpur-Yeshvantpur Super Fast Express train will leave Bhagalpur at 01.30p.m on every Wednesday and will arrive Yeshvantpur at 09.15a.m on the next 2nd days. Similarly, in the return direction, 2253 Yeshvantpur-Bhagalpur Super Fast Express will leave Yeshvantpur at 12.45p.m on every Saturday and will arrive Bhagalpur at 08.30p.m on the 2nd next day.

Another new weekly Express train will be introduced between New Dibrugarh Town and Yeshvantpur via Bhubaneswar. 5902 New Dibrugarh-Yeshvantpur Express train will leave New Dibrugarh at 06.45p.m on every Friday and will arrive Yeshvantpur at 12.10p.m on the next 2nd days. Similarly, in the return direction, 5901 Yeshvantpur-New Dibrugarh Express will leave Yeshvantpur at 11.55p.m on every Monday and will arrive New Dibrugarh at 08.00p.m on the 2nd next day.

One new daily Express train will be introduced between Puri and Keonjhargarh. 8416 Puri-Keonjhargarh Express train will leave Puri at 05.25a.m regularly and will arrive Keonjhargarh at 12.00 noon on the same day. Similarly, in the return direction, 8415 Keonjhargarh-Puri Express will leave Keonjhargarh at 01.00p.m and will arrive Puri at 08.30p.m.

Another new daily Express train will be introduced between Bhubaneswar and Paradeep. 8414 Bhubaneswar-Paradeep Express train will leave Bhubaneswar at 07.05a.m regularly and will arrive Paradeep at 09.45a.m. Similarly, in the return direction, 8413 Paradeep-Puri Express will leave Paradeep at 06.00p.m and will arrive Bhubaneswar at 09.10p.m.

 

EXTENSION:

Two bi-weekly express trains i.e. Nizamabad-Visakhapatnam bi-weekly and Varanasi-Ranchi bi-weekly will be extended to Sambalpur in the New Railway Time Table which will be notified later.

 

INCREASE IN FREQUENCY

 

The frequency of Bhubaneswar-Baripada-Bhubaneswar tri-weekly superfast express has been decided to increase the frequency to six days in a week from 30th June 2008. 2892 Bhubaneswar-Baripada Superfast Express will run daily w.e.f. 30th June 2008 except Saturdays from Bhubaneswar. Similarly, in the return direction, 2891 Baripada-Bhubaneswar Superfast Express will run daily w.e.f 1st July 2008 except Sundays from Baripada.

The frequency of Bhubaneswar-New Delhi-Bhubaneswar bi-weekly Rajdhani express has been decided to run as tri-weekly in the new Time Table which will notify later. 2421 Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express will run on every Sunday, Wednesday and Saturday. Similarly, in the return direction, 2422New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express will run on every Sunday, Monday and Friday in the new time table.

SPEED UP AND CHANGE IN TIMINGS

 

Seven trains have been speeded up in the new time-table including the timings of 14 trains at different stations have been changed. Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Intercity Express, Bhubaneswar-Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express, Okha-Puri Express, Sambalpur-Puri Intercity Express , Raipur-Bhubaneswar Express, New Delhi-Puri Neelachal Express and Pondicherry-Bhubaneswar Express have been speeded up from 5 minutes to one hour 50 minutes from 1st July.

8411 Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Intercity Express will leave Bhubaneswar at 6.45a.m instead of 5.25a.m and will arrive Visakhapatnam at 02.35p.m instead of 02.10p.m. The timings for this train at other stations have also been changed.

8412 Visakhapatnam-Bhubaneswar Intercity Express will leave Visakhapatnam at 02.55 p.m. instead of 02.35 p.m. and will arrive Bhubaneswar at 11.20 p.m. instead of 10.55 p.m.

2801 Puri-New Delhi Purusottam Express will leave Puri at 09.45p.m instead of 10.00p.m and will arrive New Delhi at 05.05a.m instead of 04.55 a.m.

2896/2888 Puri-Howrah Weekly Express trains will leave Puri at 10.00p.m instead of earlier 09.45 p.m. and will arrive Howrah at 07.05a.m instead of 06.45 a.m.

2892 Bhubaneswar-Baripada Express will leave Bhubaneswar at 05.10p.m instead of 05.30p.m and will arrive Baripada at 10.10p.m instead of 10.30 p.m.

8304 Puri-Sambalpur Intercity Express will leave Puri at 03.45p.m instead of 04.30 p.m. and will arrive Sambalpur at 10.10 p.m. instead of 10.45 p.m.

8463 Bhubaneswar-Bangalore Prashanti Express will leave Bhubaneswar at 05.45 a.m. instead of 04.15 a.m. and will arrive Bangalore at 11.30a.m instead of 10.00 a.m.

222 Puri-Angul Passenger will leave Puri at 04.00 p.m. instead of 03.30 p.m. and will arrive Angul at 09.15 p.m. instead of 08.30 p.m.

2074 Bhubaneswar-Howrah Jana Shatabdi Express will leave Bhubaneswar at 06.20 a.m. instead of 06.00 a.m. and will arrive Howrah at 12.50 p.m.

8402 Okha-Puri Express leaving Okha at 07.15 a.m. will arrive Puri at 10.50 a.m. instead of 12.40 p.m.

8303 Sambalpur-Puri Intercity Express will leave Sambalpur at 06.10 a.m. instead of 06.15 a.m. and will arrive Puri at 12.45 p.m. instead of 01.30 p.m.

8426 Raipur –Bhubaneswar Express will leave Raipur at 05.15 p.m. instead of 05.00 p.m. and will arrive Bhubaneswar at 07.35 a.m. instead of 07.45 a.m.

2816 New Delhi –Puri Neelachal Express leaving New Delhi at 06.30 a.m. will arrive Puri at 12.10 p.m. instead of 01.15 p.m.

2897 Pondicherry –Bhubaneswar Express leaving Pondicherry at 06.15 p.m. will arrive Bhubaneswar at 06.40 p.m. instead of 07.25 p.m.

The timings for many of these above trains at different stations have also been changed. Passengers are requested to enquire about the change of timings of the trains at different nearest stations to avoid inconvenience. Railway sources have also advised all concerned to dial "139" to know all details about new train services. This BSNL numbered can be dialed from any land line, GSM or CDMA connections.

From http://www.serailway.gov.in/hq/pro/default.htm.

  • One pair of Bi-weekly Super Fast Garib Rath Express [2881/2882] between Howrah-Puri-Howrah
  • One pair of Weekly Express [2254/2253] between Bhagalpur-Yesvantpur-Bhagalpur via Howrah and Kharagpur.
  • One pair of Weekly Express [5902/5901] between New Dibrugarh Town-Yesvantpur via Howrah and Kharagpur.
  • One pair of Bi-weekly Super Fast Express [2880/2879] between Bhubaneswar-LTT via Jharsuguda.
  • One pair of Weekly Express [8419/8420] between Puri-Darbhanga via Kharagpur- Asansol.
  • 8611/8612 Ranchi-Varanasi Express will be extended to run from Sambalpur twice a week with new number 8311/8312 as Sambalpur-Ranchi- Varanasi Express.
  • 2021/2022 Howrah-Barbil Janshatabdi Express from existing six days a week to daily service with effect from 1st. July, 2008.
  • 2421/2422 Bhubaneswar-New Delhi Rajdhani Express via Kharagpur and Adra from existing bi-weekly to tri-weekly.
  • 2891/2892 Baripada-Bhubaneswar Express from existing tri-weekly to six days a week w.e.f. 1st. July, 2008 ex. Baripada.
  • 2831/2832 Ranchi-Bhubaneswar Garib Rath Express will originate/terminate from/to Hatia instead of Ranchi with effect from 19th. August, 2008.

From the South Central railway ad:

  • The biweekly Nizamabad-Visakhapatnam (8309/8310) express will be extended to Sambalpur. It will leave Sambalpur on Mondays and Fridays at 9:15 AM and reach Secunderabad at 8:20 AM and Nizamabad at 11:50 the next morning. It will leave Nizamabad at 18:35 on Tuesdays and Saturdays, leave Secunderabad at 21:45 and then reach Sambalpur at 21:30 the next day.
  • Prashanthi Express timings have been changed effective July 1 to leave Bhubaneswar about 2 hours later than its original time. Earlier it used to leave Duvadda at 11:59. Now it will leave Duvadda at 13:42. It used to leave Bhubaneswar at 4:15 AM; now it will leave at 5:45 AM.

Orissa MPs’ statements in the LokSabha on the Railway budget

ECOR, Odisha MPs, Railway Budget 2008, SER Comments Off on Orissa MPs’ statements in the LokSabha on the Railway budget

Statements were made by B. Mahtab, B. Panda, Braja K Tripathy,  Arjun Sethi, Prasanna Patsani, Ananta Nayak and Kharabela Swain.  They asked for all kinds of things. I wish they had prioritized and focused on 2-3 things, namely Khurda-Balangir, Lanjigarh Rd – Junagarh – Jeypore – Malkangiri and Baripada – Bangiriposi – Buramara on the basis of connecting to tribal and naxal infested hinterlands. Following is the transcript from http://164.100.24.209/newls/textofdebatedetail.aspx?sdate=03/10/2008.

*SHRI B. MAHTAB (CUTTACK) : Respected Sir, I stand here today to deliberate on the Railway Budget 2008-09 which has received both laurels and brickbats from the thinking public. At the outset I must mention that the Railway Minister’s opening remarks about a cash surplus of Rs 25,000 crore before dividend is clearly a meaningless figure. The surplus after payment of all dues, including dividend, to the general exchequer is only Rs 13,534 crore. This is what can be invested. This is Mr Lalu Prasadji’s fifth consecutive Rail Budget. This years Railway Budget reads like a wish list for the Indian Railways. Announcements like capacity bulding of high density network, port connectivity, freight corriders, stainless steel wagons, higher axle loads etc. on the freight side are praiseworthy and in the passenger sector, use of stainless coaches, green toilets, improved passenger infromation systems and facilities, reduction of fares etc. will please many no doubt, yet there is cause for concern too. The pronouncements do not match the deeds. The budget is an occasion to review the progress of important projects. Apart from the DFC, mega projects like the wheel factory at Chhapra, Electric Loco Factory at Madhepura, the coach unit at RaeBareilly and the Diesel Loco Factory have yet to take off. A new coach factory in Kerala has been added to this list now. The list of sanctioned railway projects of maybe more than Rs 75,000 crore is now a serious worry since more get added each year with painfully slow completion. The production units of Indian Railway loco works at Chittaranjan, Varanasi, coach units at Chennai and Kapurthala, wheel factory at Bengaluru can be made into international hubs supplying to railway system worldwide with more capital investment and new technology. But very little has been said on this. The minister had announced a possible corporatisation of Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala in the 2006-07 budget. What progress has been done in this direction?

 

 

* Laid on the Table.



           Budget 2007-08 had spoken of pre-feasibility studies for high speed train corridors which do not find any mention this year. I hope the idea has not been abandoned as such links will bring economic development around important cities as it has taken place in other countries. But the Railway Minister has demonstrated lack of vision. I fail to under the logic of growth rate of 8% by the Railways when the entire economy is growing at a rate of 8.5% to 9%. The cash surplus figures, which I have stated earlier in just bunkum. If the Railways has a cash surplus of Rs 25000 crore then what was the need for seeking budgetary support from the Union Finance Ministry? What one should understand is how much is the quantum of investible surplus.

There are a lot of anomolies when one goes into the details of this years Railway Budget. The freight loading may be taken as an example. The freight loading target of 850 million tonnes is marginally less than the 8 percent growth rate target of 858 million tonnes projected for the Ninth Plan by the Railways. How can one say there is progress?

Similarly an adhoc provision of Rs 5000 crore for expenditure arising from anticipated recommendations of the Sixth Pay Commission would appear to be less than the 30 percent increase experienced at the time of implementation of the Fifth Pay Commission recommendation. It can only be hoped that this figure will not be wide of the mark. The allotment of only Rs 600 crore for bridges, as compared to Rs 700 crore for Road over Bridge / Road under Bridges seem inadequate when one takes into consideration that a large number of bridges even now require attention, being more than 100 years old and particularly considering the increased axle loads being permitted or proposed to be introduced. Higher levels of Overloading are taking place now. I am sure the Government is aware about the Railway study made recently on the South Eastern sector which has revealed that the extent of overloading has gone up significantly after the axle load was increased to 22.9 tonnes from 20.32 tonnes. We are all aware that South Eastern Railway deals primarily with iron ore traffic. Earlies, that is, before 2005, wagons were overloaded to the extent of 24-25 tonnes per axle most of the time, However, in 2006 and 2007, when Railways allowed higher levels (22.9 tonnes) of axle load, wagons were over loaded at 28-29 tonnes and even 30 tonnes per axle at times. Excess loads damages the rail tracks and wheels resulting in faster wear and tear. For Railways, which uses the same tracks to such passenger trains this has emerged as a major concern as damaged rails could even result in accidents if not detected on time, apart from higher maintenance costs.

In the past four years, Indian Railways transported an additional 233 million tonnes of originating freight traffic and in the next four years, it proposes to handle an additional 310 mt. How it is going to be achieved? It is not clear from the Budget for 2008-09. What has been presented in the Budget are some sign posts; not a clear road map. The freight traffic growth of the Railways has been steadily dwindling. For the past few years, the Railways has been transporting on an average an additional 60mt every year. The fallout of it is that the Railways continue to lose its market share to other modes of transportation. Nothing substantial has been done to meet this challenge.

I now come to another unpleasant issue. There was no crying demand for bringing the fares down, certainly not from those who travelled AC First, AC Sleeper or AC Chair Car. They would not have minded if the Railway Minister had maintained the status quo for they choose the higher classes of their own volition, only after making sure that they can afford it. The fare reduction of those classes are not also such as to attract significantly more passengers. Similarly, the tinkering with freight reduction too will have only a marginal effect on prices, if at all. There is no specific assurance in the Budget speech that so many new trains will not cause serious traffic congestion and affect the quality and regularity of track maintenance and that they will not compromise safety consideration. New passenger trains also eat into the time and space for movement of goods train which are not only the chief bread winner of the system but also keep the sinew’s of the economy strong. Any operational decision that slows them down will have a cascading effect in the sense of pulling down the volume and velocity of transactions in all resorts. For these reasons, the Traffic wing of the Railway Board had always been opposed to excessive number of new passenger trains.

This year Fifty-three new trains have been announced on a saturated system, without making provision to improve the infrastructure. Speed of trains is the other aspect which needs deliberation. On a high-density network, accounting for nearly one-third of the coun­try’s total rail network of 66,000 km, the coverage speed of passenger train is 55 km and goods train 20 km. Even Rajdhani and Shatabdi Express run at an average speed of 75 km. The Fastest passenger train is Shatabdi Express between Bhopal and Kanpur with an average speed of 140 km. Isn’t this well below the speed of fast trains the Railway Minister vowed to introduce after visiting countries where such trains operate? There are some unanswered questions even today. Why is the average turnaround time of wagons are still so high despite slashing of the free time and like in demurrage? Why are more diesel locomotives proposed to be acquired despite the announcement to go for electrification of more routes?

It is good to know that issues such as port connectivity and elbowing of lines will receive a good deal of attention. But then one couldn’t be sure of the outcome of such an initiative if the issue is left of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd to handle. There are instances where the port connectivity and doubling projects have made little progress because RVNL is not convinced of their viability. The real problems facing the Railways are an acute con­gestion on certain busy freight routes and chronic shortage of locomotives. These prob­lems have not been addressed in the Budget.



Railways Minister proposes to upgrade infrastructure at an estimated investment of Rs 75,000 crore in the next seven years. Where is the money going to come from ? If the Railways wants bigger private participation, it will perhaps have to take a re-look at its present public- private partnership model. Correct policies to attract private investments are needed. Sadly, the Rail Budget lacks such policy initiatives. What has happened to the dedicated rail freight corridor? We have been hearing about this corroder for the past three years. Prime Minister had laid the foundation stone for this project way back in September/ October 2006 in Mumbai and Ludhiana. Has a single brick been laid so far ? We have been hearing about the plans to convert New Delhi Station into a world-class station. But nothing has been done so far to execute this project. If this pace of work continues, can we expect the work to be completed before the Commonwealth Games?

Railways Minister has made a number of announcements relating to new trains, low­ering the train fare etc On a careful study, one finds that a number of New trains can only ply after around 7 to 8 years because tracks are not there and in many places gauge conversion is necessary, which may take years. I wll give one example which is very glaring. It is announcement of running a new passenger train from Hajipur to Phulberia. This Phulberia is a wellknown place because of the Railways Minister. But a passenger train can only ply after new track is laid. Can it be done in the ensuing financial year? Will this passenger train ply in 2008-09? I leave it to your wisdom. Similarly there are a dozen of new trains that are announced by Railway Minister which can ply only after tracks are converted from Narrow gauze to Broad Gauze.

Next is the most interesting part relating to lowering the passenger fare. A general impression amongst the public is that henceforward train fare will become cheaper. But is it so? This fare reduction has come with certain conditions. It is applicable only on Sleeper Class, AC Chair Car and 3 Tier where the reduction will be 2 percent provided the passengers travel in the newly designed high capacity compartments. I tried to find out what are these high capacity compartments. Today, normal Sleeper Class compartments have 72 Berths, the high capacity will have 84. AC 3 Tier has 64 and it will be enhanced to 72. AC chair car has 67 and it will increase to 102. Railways Minister has announced that new compartments are being manufactured. Those which have been sent for repair, will also come, he has said. But from close quarters of Rail Bhawan, it is learnt that, at present only 225 newly designed high capacity compartments are available. It will take not less than 7 to 8 years to convert all compartments to high capacity. Should we believe that the passengers have to wait till then?

The other announcement is relating to reduction of ticket-fare in some "popular" trains during peak hour. There are nearly 1600 Mail and Express trains plying in our country out of which 400 are considered, "Popular", I do not know in what category. It is very cumber­some to implement this, no doubt, but the general impression has been created through the Budget speech that train fare has been slashed though it is seasonal. Very strange are the ways of the Railways Minister. Strange indeed!

At its juncture I must raise certain issues for the considerable of the Railway Minister. It relates to Freedom Fighters. Since 70s, Freedom Fighters are provided with free rail travel pass for which Ministry of Home Affairs had deposited the money. The number of Freedom Fighters are quite less today in comparison to that of 70s or 80s. I have been appealing time and again that the restriction of travel in Super Fast Trains like Shatabdi, Jana Shatabdi and Rajdhani should go. They are old and infirm and very few of them actually travel. Why can’t you provide them a little comfort. They donot seek priority in reservation. Allow them these superfast train travel only when vacancy is available.



I take this opportunity to reiterate again that for the speedy development of infrastruc­ture in Orissa, Indian Railways should provide a package which includes allocation of funds for ongoing projects, sanction of new lines, introduction of new trains, extension and increase in frequency of mail/ express trains, and improve passenger amenities. There is an urgent need to complete Daitary-Banspani BG rail link and introduce coaching services in this sector. Rail link costruction work between Bhawanipatna to Junagarh should start immediately. There is a demand to extend Naupada-Gunupur BG rail link to Thiruvali which would enable increase in cargo generation at Gopalpur port. Two projects, such as Khurda Road-Bolangir and Haridaspur-Paradeep proposed rail link is progress­ing at a very slow pace. In these new rail lines the rate of return is high, yet I fail to under­stand why Railway is not allocating funds for completion of these two projects in a time bound manner.

The survey report of Talcher-Gopalpur Broad gauze rail-link is before the Ministry which has indicated a favourable rate of return. The recent thrust of industrialisation in Orissa with setting up of Steel, Power and Aluminium Plants would require a dedicated railway link between Talcher to Gopalpur for export and import of raw materials and finished products. However, I must thank Railway Minister for starting 4 new trains and increasing the frequency of Rajdhani Express. The new train connecting Allahabad to Sambalpur was a long pending demand which has been adhered to. I would urge upon the Minister to con­sider starting a new Express train from Paradeep to Mumbai which would connect the east-coast to the western shores of our country. In this Budget, attempt has been made to recognise the problem of unmanned level crossing and congestion at busy level crossing which needs Road over bridge. Two such Road overbridge are essential in and around Cuttack now. One at Gopalpur and another at Kapilash Road-Tangi. Necessary steps may be taken to include these two projects in this years Budget.

As large parts of Orissa are being developed by East Coast Zone, the functioning of this Zone is of great interest to us. It was after long fight that this zone was created. Our impression was that it would be full fledged by now in its 10 years of existence. But that is not so. I will give you instances. In 2007-08, Sambalpur-Titlagarh and Titlagarh-Raipur Doubling project was listed. Asian Development Bank was supposed to finance this Rs.1680 cr project. Last year provision of Rs.10 Crore was made. The technical survey and de­tailed estimate was done by East Coast Railway and after that tender was floated. The area comes under East Coast Railway Zone. But Railway Vikash Nigam didn’t entrust these job to the project implementation unit of East Coast Railways but was given one to Kolkata and another to Bilashpur Project implementation unit. Why this has been done? There has been cost escalation of high order. Almost double the amount of the project cost. Will the Minister look into it? Also appraise us the reason why the jobs were taken away from East Coast Zone.

Before I conclude, I must say that Railway Minister’s performance as the Railway Minister in the past five years has been impressive in the sense that he presented five budgets in a row, all surpluses and has succeeded in projecting Indian Railways as one of the high performers. But would it not also be in order to have a performance assessment of how many of the promises made in the earlier Budgets have actually been delivered upon. What needs to be remembered is that, despite impressive strides in recent years on the financial and safety fronts, when compared to major world railways, the Indian Railways has a very long way to go in terms of quality of service and productivity. There are tremendous challenges to be overcome. Therefore, there is no room for compla­cency or misplaced munificence.

 (ends)

 



1402 hours

*SHRI BRAHMANANDA PANDA (JAGATSINGHPUR): Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I  thank you for giving me this opportunity to speak on the Railway Budget of 2008-2009.  The Railway Budget is like a milestone in the progress of a nation.  It’s a reflection on the unity, integrity and diversity of our huge country.  Railway is the unifying force in this country.

          This House has witnessed discussions regarding the welfare of our population, especially of the deprived section the labours, the farmers and the working class.  Everybody cutting across party lines expresses sympathy, but sometimes it remains a mere lip service.

          Sir, India is a land of diversity with many languages, religions, castes and creeds.  I come for the holy land of Lord Jagannath who is a symbol of secularism.  He had a devotee named Salabega who was a muslim and a devotee named ‘Dasia’ who was from the Dalit community.  In this context sir, when I rise to speak my heart pines for my people.  Wheneven any national leader visit my state they all highlight the poverty, squalour and the deprivation of my people.  Orissa is famous as a backward, poverty-stricken state.

          In the recent past Orissa has had some distinguished visitors like Mr. Sharad Pawar etc. Now Mr. Rahul Gandhi is on a tour to Orissa. He has expressed his anguish after witnessing the deprived state of Orissa’s poor-the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe community.  The sincerity of his sympathies is doubtful.

          Sir, you are a leader of the proletariat class and you stand for the interest of the proletariat class.  Hence I believe you will empathise with me and allow me to point out the flaws in the Railway Budget.  Sir, as far as safety and security of the passengers  are concerned, very  little  has  been  done  in this  regard.  A  Railway

 

*Original in Oriya.

 

passenger is subjected to loot, dacoity, accident as well as terrorism.  A person traveling by train is unsure of reaching his destination.  Hon’ble Railway Minister is speaking of modernization.  But I must provide a secured environment for railway passengers.  I applaud his steps which are taken to extend facilities to women and senior citizens.  I also hope that he will look at Orissa with a benevolent eye. Orissa is a backward state but not a poor state.  It is a beautiful land filled with natural resources,  minnerals, verdant forests and has a long coast line of 480 Kms. Visitors to Orissa get spellbound with the beauty of this land.  That is why our Chief Minister has written a letter to the Hon’ble Railway Minister to pay attention to the demands of Orissa, so that the Railway map of Orissa will change.  Orissa is now a favourite destination of industrial groups like POSCO, Arcellor Mittal and Vedanta etc.  Orissa needs to make giant strides to catch up with other states. Hence development of Railway infrastructure is very vital to the progress of Orissa.

MR. CHAIRMAN (SHRI VARKALA RADHAKRISHNAN): Hon. Member, please conclude now.

SHRI BRAHMANANDA PANDA (JAGATSINGHPUR): Sir, you must give me a considerable amount of time… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN: That is what I have told you.  Or, somebody else may have to come here; I cannot be here.

SHRI BRAHMANANDA PANDA (JAGATSINGHPUR): In that case, I am not going to speak anything.

MR. CHAIRMAN:  Please conclude.

SHRI BRAHMANANDA PANDA (JAGATSINGHPUR): Mr. Chairman, Sir, you must allow me   a considerable amount of time to speak.



MR. CHAIRMAN:  You can give the remaining portion of your speech, in writing.  You may write any number of pages, and place it on the Table; it will be taken as recorded.

SHRI BRAHMANANDA PANDA (JAGATSINGHPUR): Sir, this is not fair. When I am here to speak   about my State, I should be allowed to speak.

MR. CHAIRMAN:  Whatever idea you have about the Railways, you may write an essay or even a book; you may place it on the Table; and it would be considered as recorded.  Please understand that we have time constraint.

SHRI BRAHMANANDA PANDA (JAGATSINGHPUR): Then, why these people are allowed to speak in the House. … (Interruptions) That is why Orissa has become a backward State.  I am here to speak about my State of Orissa.… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN:  Even in the evening you would not be here, but I will have to be here till midnight.

          You may continue your speech. Try to conclude as early as possible.

*SHRI BRAHMANANDA PANDA (JAGATSINGHPUR) :          Sir, there are many projects which has been sanctioned by the Central Government but work is

yet to start.  There are some projects which remain unfinished  due to dearth of funds. With a  financial allocation the work can be completed.  The Langigarh and Junagarh railway line needs to be completed.  Members of the House Committee of Orissa Legislative Assembly and Chief Minister had met Hon’ble Railway Minister regarding this division.

          Likewise there is the Khurda road and Bolargir railway line which remains pending from a long time.  This is a tribal dominant area.  The people remain backward due to regional imbalance and negligence by the Central Government.  They remain cut off  from  the  mainstream.  That  is why ‘Naxalism’ is on the rise

 

 

*Original in Oriya.

here.  Repeatedly we have demanded in this August House that the Khurda-Bolargir Railway Project work should be speeded up but the vain. The Central Government in unnecessarily delaying the release of fund.  Similarly we have many on going projects like the Haridaspur-Paradeep railway line, Angul-Duburi railway line, Sukinda-Tarcher-Bimlagarh line, Rupsa-Bangiriposi and Nuapada-Gunupur  railway  line etc. which  await allocation of funds.  People of these areas are now indulging in Naxalism and Maoism etc.  There are also some railway projects where doubling and electrification of railway line is very essential like Daitari-Banspani railway line, Talcher-Sambalpur, Haridaspur-Paradeep railway line Koraput-Rayagada, Sambalpu-Talcher etc.  There are many projects which awaits survey.  We draw the attention of the Railway Minister to ensure an early survey.

          We demand introduction of new trains from Bhubaneswar to Koraput, from Jeypur to Malkangiri, from Bargarh-Nuapada, Berhampur, Phulbhani to Puri-Konark..

          Sir, the Konark temple is a world famous architectural marvel.  Gurudev Ravidra Nath Tagore had described as poetry on stone.  This beautiful place will attract more tourists if well-connected by Railway.  Sir Phulbani is a district of tribals.  Even after 60 years of independence the people of this area remain untouched by Railway.  They have neither seen a train nor a railway track.  Its is a very sad commentary on the state of affairs today. 

Sir, I would like to draw the attention of the Railway Minister to introduce some new super fast trains which will connect Orissa to New Delhi.  In Orissa there are trains without pantry-car facility for example the Heerakhand Exp, which plys between Bhubaneswar and Koraput.  Tribal districts of Orissa should be well-connected to New Delhi.

          Now I will speak about my own constituency, Jagatsinghpur which houses the famous Paradeep port.  It’s a milestone in our nation’s economic progress. It is the deepest natural port in the east coast.  Paradeep port earns revenue for the country.  However the full potential of this port is not being properly exploited because the doubling of railway bridge over river Mahanadi has not been done yet. Again Sir my constituency houses the shrine of Goddess Maa Sarala who is compared to Mata Vaishno Devi. But the place has no railway connectivity and hence tourists face difficulty.  The trains which ply between Paradeep to Bhubaneswar may be further extended to Puri. Sir we have been demanding for a long time  that Rajdhani Exp. should ply between Bhubaneswar and New Delhi on a daily basis.  That has not happened. Sir, I would like to draw you attention to Junagarh-  Ambaguda railway line and Kantabanjhi-Jeypur railway line which should be laid via Khariar and Nawarangpur.  Sir there areas have predominantly tribal population.  Laying down of railway lines will integrate them to the mainstream.  Our Chief Minister Shri Naveen Patnaik dreams of a economically strong vibrant and progressive Orissa.  His dreams can only be fulfilled if the Central Government and the Ministry of Railway in particular lends a helping hand. Funds should be provided to expedite the on-going projects.  The financial aid should come in a time-bound manner so that the projects can see the light of the day.  Sir I would conclude with a poem which was recited by Gopabandhu Das which describing the beauty of lake Chilka……

          “O’  train do stop here for a moment,

          I want to enjoy the splendour of a,

          Painting called Chilka”.

          Sir, I thank you for allowing me to speak on the Railway Budget.

Jai Jagannatha.

(ends)

*SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY (PURI): I bring to the kind notice of Hon’ble Minister of Railways through you for allotment of additional funds for Orissa in the budget for expediting the ongoing Railway project in the State and inclusion of new projects in the Railway Budget 2008-2009 which have not been covered in the present Budget.

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, as in the past, Orissa which is ranked much below the national average in the Railway Map of India, has been discriminated upon and also neglected in the allotment of funds in the present Railway Budget even though the East Coast Railway and portion of South Eastern Railway which pass through the state of Orissa are measure revenue earners for the Indian Railway. This is an unbalanced Budget which has not catered to the need of regional requirement and prospective Railway expanding Zone. Whereas captive thermal power plant have been proposed in the state off Bihar, new coach factory in Kerala, Wagon reconstruction in 6arkha in Chapra Distt of Bihar, allotment of Rs.200 crore for modernisation of railway workshop in West Bengal and allotment of Rs.80 crore at Jamalpur, no new project worth substance has been introduced in Orissa. No allotment has been made for the introduction of new projects in Orissa.

I thank through you to the Hon’ble Railway Minister for introducing a Garib Rath from Ranchi to Bhubaneswar in the last Railway Budget but Sir, this is not sufficient. I would request through you to the Hon’ble Railway Minister for more Trains from Puri-Bhubaneswar to New Delhi and Mumbai in the greater public interest.

Electrification:

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, in the present Railway Budget no provision has been made for Rail Line Electrification in Orissa whereas during 11th Five Year Plan proposal for Electrification of 3500 kms of Railway Line has been made. During last Railway Budget 2007-08, I had requested through you to Hon’ble Railway Minister for allotment of Rs. 100/- crore for the Electrification of the feeder links viz*. Daitari-Banspani B.G. Link, Talcher-Sambalpur-Jharsuguda B.G. Link and Haridaspur-Paradeep B.G. Link. However, sufficient funds have

 

* Laid on the Table.



not been allotted in the present Budget also. I would also request to the Hon’ble Railway Minister through you for allotment of sufficient funds for these projects and alongwith, Koraput-Rayagarh electrification project may be sanctioned in the Railway Budget-2008-09. Against the demand for electrification of Khargpur-Nimapura-Bhubaneswar and Bhubaneswar-Kottavelasha (RVNL) only Rupess^2 crore and^l crore has been sanctioned respectively in the Budget 2007-08 against the demand for Rupees 50 crore. Hence, the allotment may be increased to 50 crore in the Budget 2008-09.

Gauge Conversion

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I would request through you to Hon’ble Railway Minister to increase the amount for expediting the gauge conversion from Rupsa to Bangiriposi which is very important as it was envisaged as an alternate to 3rd line between Kharagpur and Tatanagar and made into 2 phases, the first phase a gauge conversion of Rpusa-Bangiriposi and phase-2 connecting Bangiriposi with either Gorumahisani or Dollbhumgarh, which will subsequently connect to Tatanagar thereby reducing substantial distance. The allotment may be increased as the sanctioned amount of Rs.40/- crore is not sufficient for this project. Nuapara-Gunupur route gauge conversion may be expedited and extension to be made upto Therubali and also sanction is needed to provide connectivity to Gopalpur Port. Allotment of Rs.10.41 crore in the present Budget 2008-09 is not sufficient and I would request Hon’ble Railway Minister through you for increase this amount to Rs.75/- crore. Although broad gauge line of 2300 kms will be completed during 2007-08 and 3500 during 2008-09, no substantial allotment has been made for the state of Orissa.

On Going New Lines

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, Lanjigarh Road-Junagarh B.G. Rail Link:-Sir, this project was sanctioned in the year 1993-94. Rs.100 crores was demanded for commissioning the section between Lanjigarh Road-Bhawanipatana and commencement of land acquisition from Bhawanipatana to Junagarh. The Govt, of Orissa had demanded Rs.120/- crore for the project, however only Rs. 34/- crore has been allotted in the present Budge which may be increased to Rs.75/- crore.



Haridaspur-Paradip B.G. Link‘-Hon’ble Speaker Sir, only Rs.80/- crores has been allotted in the present Budget for Haridaspur-Paradip B.G. Link in the Budget, however the state Govt, had demanded Rs.175/- crore. I would request the Hon’ble Railway Minister through you that the allotment may be increased to Rs.175/- crore.

Khurda Road-Bolongir B.G. Link:-Hon’ble Speaker Sir, only Rs.32.43/- crore has been allotted in the present Budget whereas the state Govt, had demanded

Rs.150/- crore.   I would request the Hon’ble Railway Minister through you that the allotment may be increased to Rs.150/- crore.

Angul-Dubri-Sukinda Road B.G. Link: This Project was sanctioned in the year 1997-98. This rail link is critical for the steel industries since it will be a feeder link for transportation of coal to the industries in the Dubri area and iron ore to the industries in the districts of Cuttack, Dhenkanal and Jharsuguda. The allotment of Rs.60/- crore is meager and may be increased to Rs.150/- crore.

Talcher-BimlaqQrh (154 KmsVThis Project has been sanctioned in the year 2004-05. The state Govt, had demanded Rs.75/- crore whereas Rs.10/- has been allotted. I would request the Hon’ble Railway Minister through you that the allotment may be increased to Rs.75/- crore.

Doubling of Existing Railway Lines: Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I request the Hon’ble Railway Minister through you for provisioning adequate funds for doubling of various Railway links in the state of Orissa. Particularly, I request the Hon’ble Railway Minister through you to increase the allotment for Doubling of Khurda Road-Puri Railway Line from Rs.2/- crore to Rs.50/- crore including the sanction of second phase work for which survey work was sanctioned in the last Budget 2007-08 . This railway line is more then 100 years old and eight years of first phase work for doubling should be expedited in view of the importance of Puri as an international Tourism point.



Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I request through you to Hon’ble Railway Minister to include the following proposals for survey for new lines in the Budge of 2008-09 :-

Conversion & Extension of Nuapada-Gunupur B.G. Rail Link to Theruvali (79 Kms.)

a. Traffic survey was made in March, 1999 for extension of the converted Nuapada-Gunupur B.G. Rail Link to Theruvali with a favourable rate of return. This extension will immensely benefit flow of import and export of cargo via-Gopalpur Port.

 b.         Jeypore-Malkangiri (117 Kms.).

This broad-gauge rail link for which a survey report has been submitted to Ministry of Railways forms a part of the most backward districts of Orissa i.e. KBK area, which has been accorded special status by Government of India for speedy development. This requires immediate implementation.

c.         Talcher-Gopalpur (245 Kms)

The survey report of Talcher-Gopalpur Broad-gauge Rail Link line submitted to Ministry of Railways indicated a favourable rate of return. The recent thrust of industrialization with setting up a of Steel, Power and Aluminum Plants would require a dedicated Railway link between Talcher to Gopalpur (Special Economic Zone) for export and import of raw material and finished products.

d)         Bargarh-Nuapada-Vio-Padmapur (120 Kms):

Survey for this Broad-gauge Rail link was completed with a viable rate of return 18.32% and report submitted to the Ministry of Railways. Rail infrastructure in Western Orissa is not developed adequately despite a large number of industries are existing and heavy production of food grains are achieved. This B.G. Rail link will traverse through acutely backward areas of the State, and will ensure economic development.

e)      Puri-Konark (35 Kms.) : Puri attracts thousands of pilgrims due to temple of
Lord Jagannath. The famous Sun Temple is located at Konark. This monument
is famous throughout the world and thronged by visitors from domestic and
abroad. Considering these a survey was completed for construction of New
B.G. Rail Link between Puri-konark in the year 1997. This link will facilitate
visits by the tourists and pilgrims to the last link of the golden triangle.

For Bargarh-Nuapada-Via-Padmapur (120 Kms) and Puri-Konark (35 Kms.) though for detailed survey has been announced in principle , r\o steps have been taken in this regard so far for sanction and construction and now also no funds have been allocated in the Current Budget for these two projects. Hence necessary sanction may be accorded for these projects in the Budge of 2008-09

 (f)      Gopalpur-Rayaqada (282 Kms) :

all Bauxite deposits are located in Rayagada and Kalahandi area. Recently, Government of Orissa has signed number of Memorandums of understanding (MOU) for setting up of Aluminium industries for production of Alumina and Aluminium. Sanction for a survey is imperative to cater to the traffic that will be generated.

(g)      Jaleswar-Digha (40 Kms):

Digha is a popular beach resort, which will be connected from Tamluk. It is necessary that a survey be sanctioned from Jaleswar to Digha a stretch of 40 Kms. so that the vast areas in Bhogarai and Jaleswar Block can be connected. Although this project has been announced, no funds have been allocated so far.

(h)     Jajpur Keonjhar Road-Jajpur (30 Kms.):

Biraja Khetra at jajpur Town is a famous place of Piligrimage in India at Par with Dwaraka and Kasi. A large number of pilgrims visit this area regularly. The Ministry of Railways is requested to sanction a survey for extension of the East Coast Railway line from Jajpur-Keonjhar Road to Jajpur.

(i)      Sorumahisani To Buramara (35 Kms.)

Work is in progress for gauge conversion of Rupsa-Bangiriposi N.G. Rail Link. A survey may be sanctioned for linking Gorumahisani on Tata-Badamapahar B.6. Rail Link to Buramara on Rupsa-Bangiriposi Rail Link.

(j)      Badampahar To Keonjhar (70 Kms.)

A survey needs to be sanctioned between Badamapahar to keonjhar which shall link the rich iron ore area with Tatanagar.

(k)      Sambalpur-Berhampur via Birmaharajpur (408 Kms.)

Presently a direct rail link from Western to Southern Orissa is not available. Transportation of goods and passengers have to move in a circuitous way via Raipur-Vizainagaram or the East Coast Rail Link.

 (I)      Bolanqir-Nawapara (159 Kms.)

Bolangir and Nawapara are extremely backward district of Orissa, covered under the KBK districts, which has been accorded special status by Government of India. Availability of Railway infrastructure shall lead to economic growth.

(m)     Banspani-Bimlaqarh (80 Kms.)

Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts are iron ore hub of Orissa. With rapid industrialization a network of railway links shall cater to the transportation requirement of that area.

(n)      Berhampur to Phulbani (169.8 Kms.)

A preliminary Engineering-Cum Traffic Survey was conducted in 2003. Phulbani is one of the extremely backward districts of Orissa, though endowed with large deposits of Granite, Graphite, Quartz, Manganese and Bauxite. Sanction of requisite funds may be made for commencement and completion the project.

The following extension and introduction of New Trains may be introduced.

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I would like to thank the Hon’ble Railway Minister through you for extension and introduction of New Trains, viz, Bhubaneswar-Mumbai vida Sambalpur (bi-weekly), Puri-Darabhangha Express (Weekly), Paradeep-Bhubaneswar Express (Daily in lieu of Parradeep-Cuttack Passenger), Kendujhargarh-Puri Express (Daily). However, the Paradeep -Bhubaneswar Express may be extended upto Puri considering it as a Pilgrimage Centre.

The following introduction and extension of trains requires attention :

Super-fast Express from Sambalpur to Allahabad:

There is no direct train from Sambalpur to Allahabad in order to meet the growing demand of traffic from Western Orissa. To enable the people of Western Orissa to Visit important places of pilgrimage like Allhabad, the extended train No.8611/8612 may be further extended upto Allhabad.

 

Inter City Express between Koraput and Rourkela Via-Rayagada.

The Raipur-Vizianagram-Koraput-Kirandul B.G. rail link passes through the most backward areas of the State like Koraput-Bolangir and Sundargarh. An Inter City Express linking Rourkela with these areas of this State will give the much needed impetus for business and commerce of the area.

Express Train from Titilagarh to Puri, Via-Sambalpur:

Presently there is no direct train from Titilagarh area to cater the needs of Western Orissa. Introduction of Express Train on this route will provide relief to the people and also ensure emotional, social integration with costal Orissa.

Express Train from Visakhapatnam to Howrah-Titilagarh, Raipur & Bilaspur:

The area from Visakhapatnam to Titlagarh is backward and requires additional train services to ensure increase of commerce and trading with neighboring States.

New Puri-Hyderabad Express and and New Puri-Chennai Express

There is no direct Train Link from pilgrim centre of Puri famous for Lord Jagannath to South India. Two direct trains from Puri-Hyaderabad and Puri-Chennai will fabulously benefit pilgrims of South India and people of Puri and Orissa.

Express Train between Baripada and Visakhapatnam Via Balasore,  Bhubaneswar and Berhampur.

Baripada the district Headquarters of Mayurbhanj is now connected on the Board gauge system of Indian Railways. It is necessary to provide a direct link with Southern Orissa as of the Passenger amenities.

Express Train from Gandhidham to Puri.

Orissa continues to provide human resources for industries in Gujurat. A large number of Oriyas are working in various part of Gujrat. An express train may be provided from Puri to Gandhidham via Vizainagram.



Express Train from Keonjhar to Howrah

Keonjhar district has been connected in the Daitari-Banspani BG Rail link. A large number of the tribal population shall use the direct link for trade and commerce.

Super-fast Express from Puri-Jaipur:

There is no direct train service from Puri Orissa) to pink city of Jaipur (Rajasthan). Introduction of a Train Services from Puri-Jaipur, Via-Sambalpur, and Raipur will enable tourists and pilgrims from Central and Western India to come to Orissa and this service will immensely benefit people of western Orissa.

Express Train from Barbil to Vishakapatnam via-Kenojhor & Bhubaneswar

The BG rail link between Banspani-Daitari is expected to be commissioned very soon. Keonjhar and Jajpur districts are undergoing rapid industrialization. Introduction of a train from Barbil to Vishakapatnam will facilitate movement of passengers and shall also be used for trade and commerce.

Express Train from Baripada to Howrah

Narrow gauge section between Rupsa to Baripada has been converted and commissioned. In order to strengthen the traditional link of the people of Mayurbhanj district with West Bengal and meet the aspirations of the people of that district, Ministry of Railways is requested for introduction of an express train from Baripada to Howrah.

Intercity Express Between Jharsuguda and Bhubaneswar

The industrial scenario is fast changing with the large number of steel plants located in Jharsuguda and Sambalpur districts. Inadequate train services is a serious impediment for people of that area. Ministry of Railways is requested for introduction of an Inter-city Express between Jharsuguda and Bhubaneswar.

Super fast Express between Rourkela to New Delhi.

The industrial and mining area of Sundargarh and Jharsuguda district are sparsely connected to New Delhi. Introduction of a direct train will be immensely popular facilitating travel of passengers from these districts.



Direct Train between Bhubaneswar-Chandiqarh-Kalka

A large number of people of Orissa are employed in defence services and allied sectors in Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab. A super fast express may be introduced from Bhubneswar to Chandigarh, which will also encourage tourism between Orissa and Himachal Pradesh.

Raiqarh-Gondia Intercity Express to Jharsuguda

Extension of this train shall provide a direct link from Vidarbha region to Western Orissa.

Bilaspur-Raiqarh passenger to Jharsuguda

Extension of this train will facilitate movement of passengers to a major part of Chattishgarh.

Extension of Janshatabdi Express between Howrah and Barbil to Keonjhar

Daitari-Banspani B6 rail link is expected to be commissioned very shortly. Keeping in view the aspirations of the people of Keonjhar and to facilitate connectivity for trade and commerce this train may be extended up to Keonjhar.

Amongst others, request was made for introduction of a Shatabdi Express from Puri to Paradeep. I would request Hon’ble Railway Minister through you to expedite and implement these passenger amenities.

Also the Garib Rath introduced between Bhubaneswar and Ranchi may be extended to Puri Jagannath Dham for the convenience of the tourists.

Introduction of EMU Services:

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, the electrification work between Kharagpur – Bhubaneswar is in progress and stretch of 200 kms between Palasa to Bhubaneswar has been commissioned. Ministry of Railways is requested to introduce fast Moving EMU Trains from Puri-Palasa and Puri-Balasore to cater to the need of passengers of Puri-Khurda Road-Bhubaneswar and Balasore. I would request to Hon’ble Railway Minister through you for introduction of these EMU Trains for the benefit of the passengers.



The Ministry of Railway has introduced an Express Train from Sambalpur to Raipur this may be extended to Puri as this will facilitate a direct link between the capitals of two States. I would also request you that existing Hirakund Express from Nizamuddin to Bhubaneswar which, has been extended up to Visakhapatnam considering its long distance, provision of pantry car may be made, introduction of Three tier AC and the frequency of the said Train should be increased from 3 days in a week to daily service. The Hirakund Express may be provided with more coaches in order to cater to the requirement of passengers from Palasa, Berhampur, Chhatrapur and Balugaon.

Visakhapatnam-Nizamuddin Express Train may be increased from three days to daily in a week to cater the need of passengers traveling from Western Orissa to the capital of India. The frequency of New Delhi-Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express may be increased from 4 days to 7 days in week and these three days the Rajdhani Express may run Via-Samabalpur, Rourkela and Ranchi. The frequency of Puri-Ahmedabad Express Via-Sambalpur and Vizianagaram may be increased to facilitate journey of large number of workers from Orissa employed in Gujrat. It is requested that the frequency of this train Via-Sambalpur may be increased to thrice a week and via-Vizianagarm to four days in a week. The frequency of Bhubaneswar-Kurla Express may be increased to three days in week. This train is immensely popular by passengers traveling from Western Orissa. Frequency of Puri – Tirupati Express may be increased to daily service and the time span may be reduced from 28 hrs to 24 hrs in the interest of general public . Since large number of fishermen folk are visiting Puri and have business connections, the Puri-Tirupati Express may be having an additional stoppage at ‘Tuni’ Railway Station under South Central Railway. Coramondal Express may be stopped at "Guddur station" for the convenience of general public.

Establishment of passenger halt at Indrayumna, Puri.

Request was made to Railway Ministry that a passenger halt at Indradyumna near Puri under Khurda Road Division may be established. The Railways had conducted a survey and asked for certain information. Necessary information has been provided to the Railways since long and the proposal is a financially viable one, however, no progress has been made so far in this regard. The necessary of sanction for establishment of a passenger halt at Indradyumna may be accorded in the budget 2008-09.



Passenger amenities:

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, Ministry of Railways was requested for increase in passenger amenities for Orissa as with the creation of East Coast Railway and with establishment of its Headquarters in Bhubaneswar the expectation and aspiration of people of Orissa for better infrastructural developments of the stations has been increased. The Ministry of Railways was requested to improve passenger amenities at Puri, Titlagarh, Rayagarha, Raigarha, Koraput, Kessinga, Chattrapur, Balugaon, Jaleswar and Balangir Stations. The Ministry is also requested to further increase computerized network for reservation at Kuhudi, Kalupadaghat and Chhatrapur of Orissa. Though PRS-cum-UTS has been sanctioned for Sakhigopal, Khariar Road and Soro stations, this has not been made operational. This may kindly be expedited. Janakideipur Railway Station under Khurda Division may be developed as a full-fledged Railway Station to cater for a large chunk of people. The 214 down and 213 up Puri- Cuttack passenger train, the only train which is helping the service holders and daily commuter may be provided with additional coaches as the number of commuters have increased causing immense difficulty to the daily passengers.

Introduction of Pantry Car.

Some long distance trains originating from Bhubaneswar-Puri are not provided with Pantry Services. Ministry of Railways is requested that pantry car services for Bhubaneswar-Bangalore Express (8415/8416). Bhubaneswar-Kurla Express 1045/1046 and Puri-Tirupati Express (8439/8440) may be provided. Necessary provision for funds in this regard may be made in the in Budget 2008-09.

Coaching Terminals:

Hon’ble Speaker Sir, Orissa has only one coaching terminal at Bhubaneswar, which is land locked and inhibits expansion. This terminal should be expanded in order to accommodate more number of Trains. The Coaching Terminal at Puri has been closed. Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I would request to Hon’ble Railway Minister through you for setting up of coaching terminals with revival of one at Puri and in order to accommodate more number of trains. Proper coaching terminals may be developed at Berhampur, Sambalpur and Koraput also.



Hon’ble Speaker Sir, I would request the Hon’ble Railway Minister through you to kindly substantially increase from the present allotment in the Railway Budget 2008-09 for completion of ongoing railway projects in the State of Orissa which will fulfill the expectation and aspiration of the people of Orissa and culminate in economic growth and prosperity of the State.

 

 

(ends)

1735 hours

SHRI ARJUN SETHI (BHADRAK): Thank you, Sir.  I would confine my speech to a few specific problems as the time at my disposal is very limited.

I would like to bring to your notice as well as to the notice of the hon. Minister present here that last year in the Railway Budget two specific projects were sanctioned for the State of Orissa; Sambalpur-Titlagarh and Titlagarh-Raipur.  It was also envisaged that these will be taken up by the Rail Vikas Nigam. These projects come under East-Coast Railway.  As you know, Sir, the East-Coast Railway was approved by the Ministry of Railways after a long struggle by the State Government as well as by the people of Orissa.

 I would like to bring to your notice a specific action of RVNL by which they have tried to divert the execution of these two projects.  All the pre-requisite action, like the survey and the detailed project report, have been taken by the East-Coast Railway.  But now the RVNL has written a letter – the General Manager PI-1 has written a letter to the Additional General Manager RVNL, Bilaspur – that the execution of Sambalpur-Titlagarh doubling will be done by Kolkata and Raipur-Titlagarh work will be executed by Bilaspur division.  This is how the Railway administration, Railway Ministry as also the Railway Board have tried to cripple the work of East-Coast Railways.  These two particular lines come under the jurisdiction of East-Coast Railways, Bhubaneswar which has also undertaken the preliminary work like survey and DPR.  If I am permitted, I would like to quote his name.  General Manager PI-1 has written a letter to the Additional General Manager, RVNL, Bilaspur that these two projects will be executed by Kolkata, that is South-Eastern Railway and also by the South-East Central Railway, whose headquarter is at Bilaspur.  This is the case of utter negligence on the part of the Railway Ministry.  When these two projects come under the jurisdiction of East-Coast Railway how can they be executed by the South-Eastern Railway and the South-East Central Railway?  This is certainly an action on the part of the Railway Ministry to neglect the State of Orissa and to cripple the working of the East-Coast Railway at Bhubaneswar.  How can this particular gentleman write a letter saying that this particular work will be executed by Railways other than the East-Coast Railway?[R119] 

(z3/1740/rc/cp)[R120] 

          Another thing I would like to bring to your kind notice.  Last year, a sum of Rs.680 crore was sanctioned.  You will be surprised to know that a report has come in the newspaper of Delhi saying that only Rs.385 crore has been spent and the remaining Rs.283 crore will be diverted.  This is the case of utter negligence on the part of the Railways and discrimination against the State of Orissa.  Fortunately, the Railway Minister, hon. Shri Lalu Prasadji is here.  I would like to draw his attention to this point.  He should clarify this point.

          Another point I would like to bring to the notice of the hon. Minister.  The East Coast Railway Zone was sanctioned when the NDA was in power and Shri Nitish Kumar was the Railway Minister.

THE MINISTER OF RAILWAYS (SHRI LALU PRASAD): Please give me a copy of the sanction letter.

SHRI ARJUN SETHI (BHADRAK): Which sanction letter?

रेल मंत्री (श्री लालू प्रसाद)  :  जोन सैंक्शन का लेटर मुझे दिखाइए।  …(व्यवधान) आप हाउस में बोल रहे हैं कि जोन सैंक्शन हुआ था, तो आप उसका सैंक्शन लेटर दिखाइए। …(व्यवधान) आप मिसलीड मत करिए।

SHRI ARJUN SETHI (BHADRAK): The sanction letter must be with the Ministry of Railways.  How can I have that sanction letter?  Everybody knows including this hon. House that this particular zone was sanctioned during the NDA regime… (Interruptions).  He is at the helm of affairs.  He can find it.… (Interruptions)

SHRI LALU PRASAD:  You put up that letter and I will implement it.

SHRI ARJUN SETHI (BHADRAK): Sir, I am a Member of this House.   How can I go into his Ministry and find out the letter?… (Interruptions)

श्री लालू प्रसाद  : अगर हम नहीं देते, तो आरटीआई से ले लीजिए।

SHRI BRAJA KISHORE TRIPATHY (PURI): At that time, it was announced in the speech of the Railway Minister.  Now you have also delivered your speech and made some announcements.  So, should we not believe you?

श्री लालू प्रसाद :  आप हमें दीजिए।

श्री बृज किशोर त्रिपाठी (पुरी) : रेलवे मिनिस्टर की स्पीच में है।

SHRI ARJUN SETHI (BHADRAK):  Sir, I will be very thankful to the hon. Minister of Railways if he places a copy of the sanctioned letter on the Table of the House so that everybody could know when it was sanctioned.  What is the harm in it?… (Interruptions)

MR. CHAIRMAN (DR. LAXMINARAYAN PANDEYA): Please conclude now.

SHRI ARJUN SETHI (BHADRAK): Sir, the East Coast Railway was sanctioned after much persuasion, demand and also much labour both by the Members of Parliament and also people outside.  So, I would request the Railway Minister to see that this particular Railway gets activated fully.  Sir, I can place a copy of the letter written by the Rail Vikas Nigam.  If you allow me to place it on the Table, I would place it.

MR. CHAIRMAN:  You can give it to the hon. Minister.

SHRI ARJUN SETHI (BHADRAK):  All right.  I will hand it over to the hon. Railway Minister.

श्री लालू प्रसाद  :  सैंक्शन लेटर भेज दीजिए।  

SHRI ARJUN SETHI (BHADRAK): The letter was issued by the General Manager, Rail Vikas Nigam.

MR. CHAIRMAN:  Please conclude.

SHRI ARJUN SETHI (BHADRAK): Sir, please give me only one minute.[R121] 

(a4/1745/snb-nsh)[R122] 

          Sir, my parliamentary constituency is Bhadrak. The Bhadrak station was declared as one of the model stations not only in the State of Orissa but also in the entire Railway stem. Today if anyone would visit that station any time, he would be surprised to see that there is not even platform shelter in the station. There is no lighting arrangements and also all other amenities that are supposed to be there are absent.

          One ROB was sanctioned for Orissa and it was assured by the hon. Minister of State for Railways that it would be completed and operationalised by February, 2008. Today we are in the month of March. So, I would like to request the hon. Minister to look into these matters and see to it that this ROB is sanctioned at the earliest.

          Thank you. 

(ends)

 

 

*DR. PRASANNA KUMAR PATASANI (BHUBANESWAR) :  Every year we are participating in Railway budget. Honourable Minister Laluji presently placed a  good budget but we are debarred of getting good sanction for our state of Orissa. Our own Chief Minister deputed one Committee of Representatives headed by Hon’ble Speaker and we had a nice meeting with Laluji in his own chamber. As per our demand, Laluji paid us a patient hearing and committed to allot more money to our state. According to all India ratio the money which is allotted by Minister is not sufficient. I don’t know most of the time we see whatever money that you are allotting in this budget your officials not utilizing properly. Therefore, most of the time the money is lost and you are diverting to other states. I have been requesting to allot a good sum of amount to Khurdha, Bolangir, new Railway line. Whatever the money you have allocated is not sufficient. And why it is delay of utilizing the last year money to be enquired by your august office. Kurdha Bolangir railway new line is linking in between western Orissa to eastern Orissa and western Orissa is quiet adjacent to your Bihar. If this railway line would be completed soon the people of Bihar may come to see Puri Lord Jagannath, the biggest world heritage Konark and Lingraja Mandir. In the world heritage consequently within 60 kms radius there are three world heritage situated in Orissa that is Konark, Lingaraja and Puri Jagannath temple. This is the only railway line in India which goes through downtrodden area of adivasi, harijan and girijan that is the most poorest area of the country that they don’t see the train since independence. To promote our state Orissa from below poverty line this railway linkage can promote the economical, commercial revenues of the country. There is another small railway line from Puri to Konark must be surveyed immediately to promote eco tourism. I demand repeatedly that there should be metro railway connecting Kurdha, Cuttack and Bhubaneswar immediately.

 

 

* Laid on the Table.



Sir, I am representing Bhubaneswar the cultural capital of India, that is the capital of our state to the Parliament. As a peoples’ representative, I have been demanding to make Bhubaneswar as a No.1 city in the country. Now in the IT sector and other scientific achievements which is done by the present government should not be ignored. To promote the city we need some more flyovers to be done immediately. In the 13th Lok Sabha you had only sanctioned i.e. Punama Gate according to my request. That is not yet completed. Rest of the gates those are located under east zone Mancheswar, Vir Surendra Sai Nagar, Satya Nagar, Sayed Nagar and another Bhubanesar station leading towards commercial market. Minister should pay personal attention to start this railway overbridge on priority basis to protect the lives of poor people. In every month they are getting accidents and deaths. To avoid this human tragedy a good sum of amount may please be allotted in this Supplementary budget. I have been requesting to you since long to construct one over bridge under Jatoni constituency ie. Near to Kurdha Rly. Junction. To save the lives of poor people those are leading a very miserable lives. That the railway bridge previously constructed in the British period may be collapsed at any time. To save the lives and property of local people I draw immediate attention to implement the project diverting the funds i.e unutilized in other states.

In the last government east coast zone is originated and not so progressed and the construction of building works is highly delayed. The headquarter office should be completed and I request the inaugural ceremony must be done by you before the elections and to this zone other ancillary materials and the improvement of works must be executed properly so that this should be best zone in the country.



And lastly in my submission my state Orissa is highly neglected relating to railway sector in the country. Suppose this year you have allotted about 30 crores to Kurdha-Bolangir the project needs more than 1000 crores and if this way the money would be sanctioned this will take another 50 years to complete the project. So I request please allot 300 crores altogether to start the work ahead. Other new line projects submitted by our most popular state government should be paid special attention by you.

 (ends)

*SHRI ANANTA NAYAK (KEONJHAR) : I rise to take part in the discussion on Railway Budget. Sir, Railway is the life line of the nation; it is the largest public sector undertaking. Now this PSU is earning profit and paying dividend every year. I thanks the Railway Minister to improve the financial condition of Railway. But we should not forget the employees at the grassroots, the worker the gangamen, the railway Staffs and last but not least the Railway Board also deserve thanks for paying dividend.

Railway is the largest transport system in the country. But the system needs connection with each and every State irrespective of the fact whether any areas are hilly, dense forest and inaccessible due to same reason. Even after 61 years of Independence people in some States have not yet seen Rail. So, Rail connectivity must be provided to such areas.

Development of infrastructure depends mainly on the rail connectivity. There are 12 major ports in the country. All the ports must be provided with rail connectivity. While presently the Rail Budget the Hon’ble Minister has referred to new train between Jaipur and Paradeep of course train services is available between Cuttack and Paradeep which is being extended to Bhubaneswar. I urge upon the Minster to connect Paradip Port with the hinterland, the Minister has announced new lines from Keonjhargarh to Badapaahad and Barbil to Barsuan. A loop line may be constructed between Keonjhargarh and Ganhdamardan sector. This will facilitate the transport of iron ore and other minerals to Paradeep Port for export purpose. The cost of opertion will also not much. Each line will give profit to Railway Department.

The Hon’ble Minister of Railways in kind enough to introduce Garib Rath to different States. But he is unkind to my State like Orissa. I request him to introduce  a Garib Rath  between  New Delhi and  Bhubneswar  connecting  my

 

 

* Laid on the Table.

Parliamentary constituency Keonjhar. I take this opportunity to thank him for introducing of new train between Keonjhargarh and Puri. That means the Hon’ble Minister has recognized the importance to mineral rich Keonjhar parliamentary Constituency. He has also increased the frequency of 2421/2422 Bhubaneswar via Tata Nagar. So we are having Radhani for 5 days in a week. I demand that a pair of Radhani Express may be introduced between New Delhi and Bhubaneswatr via Tatanagar and keonjhargarh. The people of the backward area which is very rich in minerals and developed industrially will be greatly benefited if this train is introduced we have got a large number of workers from the home State of Hon’ble Minister and also from West Bengal. So adequate train connection may be provided between Keonjhargarh, Patna and Kolkota. A large number of devotees visit Deogarh from my area. We will be grateful if the Hon’ble Minister considers a daily train from Keonjhargarh to Deoghar. The pilgrims will get direct connection to Babadham. This will promote tourism also.

Sir, coming to freight earning the undivided south Eastern Railways was earn highest amount of revenue from freight among all the Railway Division. After bifurcation the East Coast Railway has the highest revenue earner from freight on that basis I was demanding better treatment to Orissa from day one of my election as member of parliament. I belong to a Constituency which contributes maximum revenue to Railway by freight traffic. This freight earning will further increase one the line from Daitari and Banspani announced by the Minister. I appeal to Shri Lalu Prasadji to provide adequate fund for construction of additional line. This will facilitate the transport of Iron ore to Paradeep. India will get huge amount of foreign Exchange from the export of Mineral. In addition to Railway the National exchequer will be benefitted thereby.

Sir, there is an urgent need to modernize the Indian Railway. I am glad that the Hon’ble Railway Minister has taken steps in that direction .1 appeal the Railway Minister to give priority to modernize the signaling system and safety along with development of the security of the passengers. Passengers one boarded the train must reach their destination safely. The security must be provided in the long distance trains.

Sir, the Hon’ble Minister has sanctioned the doubling of some lines. As far as Orissa is concerned only a few kilometres from Jakhapura to Haridaspur, Paradeep to Bansapani, Barbil to Badampahad and Champajhar to bimlagarh have been mentioned in his speech. However i welcome the proposal for doubling Jhakapura-bansapani line.

Sir, the Minister has introduced a bi-weekly Express train between Bhubaneswar and Mumbai via Sambalpur. This train should be made a daily train. I take this opportunity to request the Minister to increase the frequency of Hirakhanda Express from tri-weekly to a daily train.

 

 



 



         Sir, the Rail Vikash Nigam Ltd., is doing very well. It should pay special attention to complete the ongoing projects in Orissa. The target date has been fixed to complete the gaudge conversion of Naupada-Gunupur. It is an old project lunched during British regime. It should be completed within the target date.

Sir, So far as the new projects are concerned a small Port in between Banspani and Jurdi has been selected. This should at least be completed upto Keonjhargarh in 2008-09.At the same time all possible efforts should be made to complete the proposed line between Banspani and Barbil. Besides proposal to construct some new projects like Bargarh to Padampur, Talcher to Gopalpur and Rupsa-Bangiriposhi-Gorumaihini and Badapahad to Keonjhargarh are pending with the Govt. I request the Railway Minister to extend financial support to these projects.

Sir,

So far as survey is concerned Banspani to Bimlagarh should be given priority.

Sir, I shall be failing in my duty if I donot drawn the attention of the Hon’ble Minister to remind him the urgent need to introduce the Express train from Keonjhargarh to Howrah and Barbil to Vishakapatnam via keonjhargarh and Bhubaneswar. I hope that the introduction of these new trains would be considered during the current financial year.



Sir, now the Kanasatabdi Express train is running from Howrah and Barbil. This should be extended to Keonjhargarh for which i have been demanding time and again.

Lastly, I would like to draw the attention of the Hon’ble Minister to the poor passenger amenities in the Railway Stations in Orissa. Except a few most of the stations do not have such facilities. Greater emphasis should be laid to provide passenger amenity in all these stations. Also demand that platform for Barbil station should be raised during this year. I thank the Railway Minister for considering the genuine demands of Keonjhar.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak.

 

                                                                                                (ends)

2122 hours

SHRIMATI JHANSI LAKSHMI BOTCHA (BOBBILI): Hon. Chairman, Sir, I rise to support the historic Railway Budget for 2008-2009 presented by the hon. Railway Minister Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav.  

The Garib Rath train between Secunderabad-Visakhapatnam may be extended up to Rayagada Station to cover Bobbili parliamentary constituency, Parvathipuram parliamentary constituency in Andhra Pradesh and Koraput parliamentary constituency in Orissa. People of these constituencies would remain eternally grateful for this.

 

2339 hours

SHRI KHARABELA SWAIN (BALASORE): Mr. Chairman, Sir, I will confine my speech to only one point and that is about railway security. We have got the Railway Protection Force and we have got the Government Railway Police. Since law and order is a State subject, all the crimes committed inside the railway coaches or on the railway stations are dealt with by the GRP, and the RPF’s only job is to protect the railway property. As you know, all the unwanted police personnel of the State are sent to the GRP.[R224] 

(z6/2340/rs/jr)

[r225] Sometimes it is very strangely found that GRP files cases against the RPF personnel.  Now, the RPF organisation is being headed by an IPS officer who comes on deputation.  The DG, RPF, most of the time, does not have much of expertise on the functioning of the RPF.  He somehow enjoys a good time while in the Railways.

          My request to the hon. Railway Minister is that he should build up the RPF officers’ cadre.  The RPF officers are recruited through the Central services and they should not be held up at the DIG’s level for seven to eight years.  If they are given promotion early, there shall be continuity in the RPF cadre and the RPF cadre will be sustained and these officers, with their vast experience, can lead the RPF.

          I will also further request the hon. Prime Minister, through the hon. Railway Minister, that the Constitution should be amended to confer more law and order powers to the RPF personnel because the RPF personnel has got some accountability whereas the GRP has got none.  So, this is my point of preference to the hon. Railway Minister.

          I have got some small demands, which I shall, with your permission, lay on the Table of the House.

 

*Through you, I shall request the Hon’ble Railway Minister to implement the following railway projects in my constituency Balasore in Orissa.

(1)       Rail under bridge may be constructed at Tamulia Fatak level crossing
in between Balasore and Nilagiri Road Station of Kharagpur Division in S.E
Railways.

(2)              Road Under bridge also may be constructed at the Uttareswar level crossing near the western cabin of the Soro railway station in the KGP Division of S.E Railways.

(3)              A daily Fast passenger train may run in between Baripada-Howrah in the KGP Division of S.E. Rly.

(4)              The 203/204 Kharagpur-Bhubaneswar Fast Passenger should run via Cuttack instead of Naraj. This will reduce the running time of the train and it will connect a very important Station like Cuttack which is having the only Medical College of Eastern Orissa.

(5)              The goods shed of Balasore railway station in the KGP Division of SE Rly. should be provided with shed cover. The same platform also be concretised so that the goods are not thrown as the mud and dust.

(6)              The Puri -Okha Express train should run once a week via Balasore,
Kharagpur and Nagpur.

(ends)

 

Lalu announces more goodies, including more trains passing through Orissa, in the Parliament

ECOR, Railway Budget 2008, SER Comments Off on Lalu announces more goodies, including more trains passing through Orissa, in the Parliament

(Update: See http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=39916 for the list of all the new goodies that were announced in the parliament debate after the initial Railway budget.)

The following is from pages 19-22 of a Rajya Sabha transcript http://164.100.47.5/newdebate/213/12032008/16.00pmTo17.00pm.pdf and the middle (about 45% past) of the Lok Sabha transcript http://164.100.24.209/newls/textofdebatedetail.aspx?sdate=03/11/2008. Only the Lok Sabha proceedings mentions the frequency.

  • Page 20 line 2 of the Rajya Sabha proceedings from top: Puri-Howrah Garib rath (biweekly)
  • Page 20 of the Rajya Sabha proceedings: Bhagalpur-Yeshvantpur Express (?) (weekly)
  • Page 21 line 1-2 of the Rajya Sabha proceedings: Extension of Biweekly 8509 Vizag-Nizamuddin express to Sambalpur via Titlagarh and Balangir. (This will connect Sambalpur, Titlagarh and Balangir to Hyderabad for the first time.)
  • Page 22 line 3 from top of the Rajya Sabha proceedings : New Railway line from Puri to Konark

(Note: See http://www.orissalinks.com/orissagrowth/?p=1192 for the other trains introduced in this budget.)

Talasari beach to be made a special tourism zone via PPP

Balasore, Beaches, Jaleshwar-Digha, SER, Talasari 1 Comment »

Following is an excerpt from Statesman on this.

State tourism and excise minister Mr Debi Prasad Mishra today declared that Talasari beach, one of the most famous tourist spots of Balasore district will be developed as a special tourism zone.  ..

The infrastructure will be developed for the middle and high-middle class tourists in mind, the official sources maintained.

The minister informed that a ‘Sea Festival’ will be organized in third week of April for publicity and creation of awareness on the tourist spot. For the maiden year, the festival will be organized for about three or five days, the minister said adding that tourism and excise department will support it. The sports and youth affairs department will organize a beach sports competition on the occasion.

See also the article and the pictures in tathya.in.

Demand to include the Northern part of Railway lines in Orissa into ECOR – Samaja

Badampahara ... Tata, Baripada - Bangiriposi (under constr.), Barsuan - Bimlagarh, Bolanikhadan - Padapahar, Bondamunda - Orga..Hatia, CKP ... Bhalulata - Rourkela - Jharsuguda Jn - Daghora , ECOR, Gua - Barajamda, Gurumahishasini -Aunlakhor, Jaroli - Deojhar .. Chaibasa, KGP...Lakshannath Rd - Bhadrakh, Kiriburu - Bondamunda, Nawagaon - Punrapani, Rourkela - Biramitrapur, Rupsa Jn - Baripada, SER Comments Off on Demand to include the Northern part of Railway lines in Orissa into ECOR – Samaja

This is a tricky issue. If these parts are taken out of SER and put in ECOR then SER will become very small. Also, ECOR then has to give up part of the Vizag division as people in that area of Andhra Pradesh have similar complaints with respect to ECOR.

ECOR map dated April 1 2007

Angul - Talcher - Sukinda (under constr.), Bhadrakh - Dhamara (port conn. planned), Bhadrakh-Sarla Rd...Vizag, Cuttack - Paradeep, ECOR, Haridaspur - Paradeep (under constr.), Jakhapura - Daitari, Khurda Rd - Balangir (under constr.), Khurda Rd - Puri, Koraput - Rayagada, Lanjigarh Rd - Junagarh, MAPs, Naupada - Gunupur (Gauge conversion), Overall Odisha, Railway maps, Raipur..Khariar Rd - Rayagada - Ladda..Vijainagaram, Rajathagara - Nergundi, Sambalpur - Talcher, SER, Talcher - Barang, Talcher - Bimlagarh (under constr.), Titlagarh - Jharsugurha Jn, Tomka - Jaroli, Vizag ..Shimiliguda - Koraput - Dhanapur ..Kirandul 1 Comment »