BHUBANESWAR: Sujeet Kumar, Rajya Sabha member, urged railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to extend the Howrah-Titilagarh Ispat superfast express (12871/12872) to stations in Kalahandi district, He raised this demand in the Upper house on Friday.
He said people of Kalahandi district frequently visited Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Rourkela and Howrah for different purposes, so the train can be extended to Kalahandi for the interest of the people. “Kalahandi being an aspirational district requires a major boost in terms of railway connectivity for its rapid development as envisioned under the Aspirational Districts Program,” he added.
The train runs between Howrah and Titilagarh daily. This train connects the major cities such as Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Tatanagar, Rourkela and Howrah. Further, this train connects the western part of Odisha including Balangir, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Sundargarh,
People from Kalahandi district have been demanding for the extension of the train to some stations in Kalahandi district which will help them to commute to major cities besides connecting to other western Odisha districts.
The member said the extension of the train was done up to Kantabanji in Balangir district without extending it to stations in Kalahandi district. “The extension of the train is kept in abayance until further order due to the public outrage for not meeting the needs of Kalahandi district,” he added.
He said the Covid-19 has already done serious damage to the economic activities of the tribal people in Kalahandi district. “This extension of this train will provide much needed relief to the local commuters. Hence, I request the minister to fulfill the demand of Kalahandi people,” he added.
He said people of Kalahandi district frequently visited Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Rourkela and Howrah for different purposes, so the train can be extended to Kalahandi for the interest of the people. “Kalahandi being an aspirational district requires a major boost in terms of railway connectivity for its rapid development as envisioned under the Aspirational Districts Program,” he added.
The train runs between Howrah and Titilagarh daily. This train connects the major cities such as Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Tatanagar, Rourkela and Howrah. Further, this train connects the western part of Odisha including Balangir, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Jharsuguda and Sundargarh,
People from Kalahandi district have been demanding for the extension of the train to some stations in Kalahandi district which will help them to commute to major cities besides connecting to other western Odisha districts.
The member said the extension of the train was done up to Kantabanji in Balangir district without extending it to stations in Kalahandi district. “The extension of the train is kept in abayance until further order due to the public outrage for not meeting the needs of Kalahandi district,” he added.
He said the Covid-19 has already done serious damage to the economic activities of the tribal people in Kalahandi district. “This extension of this train will provide much needed relief to the local commuters. Hence, I request the minister to fulfill the demand of Kalahandi people,” he added.
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