Rail budget "disappointing" for Orissa: Naveen

Bhubaneswar, Feb 26 (UNI) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today described the rail budget as ''disappointing,'' saying all the demands of the state have been ignored.

Mr Patnaik told newsmen here that as the state was witnessing massive industralisation, the government had requested the railway ministry to undertake several projects for improvement of infrastructures but all these requests were turned down.

He said his government would soon draw the attention of Rail Minister and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to the 'neglect' shown to the state in the railway budget soon.

The Chief Minister said the state had demanded an allocation of Rs 880 crores, but the Railway ministry had allocated Rs 606 crores as against last year's allocation of Rs 660 crores for various projects.

He said the state government had requested a new railway link, extension of the trains besides introduction of news trains but nothing has happened.

The frequency of two trains was increased and no train has been extended, the Chief Minister said.

Mr Patnaik said no new railway projects and doubling of lines were announced for the state in the budget, adding that meagre allocations were made for the ongoing projects such as Junagarh- Lanjigarh junction and Khurda Road-Bolangir railway line.

He said it was distressing that the Railway Ministry has ignored the state government's demand for new line between Jeypore and Malkangiri.

Official sources said the state government has requested for introduction of 13 new trains, increase of frequency of at least five trains, sanction nine new railway link and doubling of three new rail links besides electrification of three new rail links.

UNI