Indian Railways Signs MoU with State of Odisha to Form an SPV for Implementation of Railway Projects in Odisha
Indian Railways Signs MoU with State of Odisha to Form an SPV for
Implementation of Railway Projects in Odisha
Suresh Prabhu: MoU will go a long way in Developing Infrastructure in Odisha
Suresh Prabhu: MoU will go a long way in Developing Infrastructure in Odisha
A
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Ministry of Railways
and Government of Odisha to form an SPV for Implementation of Railway Projects
in Odisha in the presence of the Union Minister of Railways Shri Suresh
Prabhakar Prabhu, Union Minister of Tribal Affairs Shri Jual
Oram, Union Minister of State for Railways Shri
Manoj Sinha and Minister of State (Independent Charge) Department of
Commerce & Transport Government of Odisha Shri Ramesh Chandra Majhi.
Chairman, Railway Board, Shri A.K. Mital, Board Members and senior officials of
Railway Board and Government of Odisha were also present on the occasion.
In
view of the growing demands for railway lines in various States and huge
requirement of funds to execute them, Minister for Railways Shri Suresh
Prabhakar Prabhu had announced in his budget speech about setting up of Joint
Ventures with states for focused project development, resource mobilization,
land acquisition, project implementation and monitoring of critical rail
projects. Accordingly, an MoU has been signed today between Minister of
Railways and Govt. of Orissa for formation of Joint Venture Company for
development of Railway Infrastructure in the State of Odisha.
Speaking on the occasion Minister for Railways, Shri
Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu said that it is a welcome step and will go a long way
in infrastructure development in the State of Odisha. Such JV companies will
provide the necessary impetus for faster growth of railway network in various
States including Odisha.
Shri Suresh Prabhu explained that Indian Railways has
been playing a major role in national integration by connecting the remotest
places and bringing people closer to each other. Railways receive a large
number of demands for network expansion as a railway line acts as an engine of
growth for the area it serves.
The State of Odisha, being a mineral rich state, has a
special place in today’s economic scenario of our country and Railway is aware
of its responsibility to cater to the needs of transportation of people and
goods.
The Minister disclosed that Odisha got special attention
since formation of the new government at Centre. We enhanced the outlay for
development of network in Odisha, in 2014-15 (Rs 1073 cr.) by about 40 % as
compared to 2013-14(Rs 754 cr.). This year, it has been further enhanced to 3
times (Rs 3310 cr. including EBRIF of Rs 2056 cr.) In 2014-15, 33 Km New Line
and 32 Km Doubling was commissioned. In the current year, Railways has set
targets for commissioning of about 150 Km of Network expansion projects,
including 22 km New Line and 128 Km Doubling.
The Minister said that he is sure that with all stake
holders coming to participate in infrastructure creation, this mineral rich
state is going to see dawn of a new era of development.
Railways will continue its efforts to develop
infrastructure in remote and backward area of the country. He said that
infrastructure is a necessary tool for harnessing natural resources of any
State and extension of Railway Line will speed up the development of State of
Orissa and JV Company as well as Railways will reap the benefits of this
development mutually.
In his address, Minister of State (Independent Charge)
Department of Commerce & Transport Government of Odisha, Shri Ramesh
Chandra Majhi said that signing of MoU today, is a land mark
initiative and it will benefit Odisha and the Nation in a big way. He
appreciated the efforts of Railway Minister Shri Suresh Prabhakar Prabhu for
initiating this concept of joint companies with respective state Governments.
Shri Majhi said that Indian Railways and Government of Odisha will work
together for the development of Railway infrastructure in
Odisha.
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