**Bhubaneswar:** Addressing a press conference at the BJP state unit headquarters here on Saturday morning, Union Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha said that the rail connectivity of Odisha is on BJP-led Central Government’s list of priority.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks development of the eastern India states and hence for the last two years, our Government has already initiated steps in the field of rail connectivity in Odisha and will keep on doing so to meet the expectations of the people of the state”.
In this connection he listed out the rail lines sanctioned by the Ministry.
“Malkangiri-Jeyprore-Nabarangpur, Bandomunda-Rourkela, Narayangarh-Bhadrak, third line Berhampur-Sambalpur, Junagarh-Ambaguda-Nabarangpur, Bansapani-Barbil and Barsanmanpal-Narayangarh lines have been sanctioned in this Railway Budget,” Sinha spelt out.
On being queried by media on the proposed wagon factories in Odisha, the Union Minister of State for Railways said, “Working on the proposed Kalahandi wagon manufacturing factory. Last time during the inauguration of WiFi at Bhubaneswar station along with the Union Railway Minister, we’ve already held talks with the State Government regarding the required land allotment for the purpose”.
At the press meet, Sinha also informed about his visit to Puri district to offer homage to the legends of India’s Freedom Movement as a part of BJP’s nationwide ‘Yaad Karo Kurbani’ campaign in the state.
“The campaign is meant for inculcating patriotism in the minds of our posterity who have forgotten the supreme sacrifices of our great freedom fighters and their great contributions to the nation so that it would inspire them and also pave their path for nation building”.
Sinha is scheduled to visit the native place of Chandan Hajuri, popularly known as Chakhi Khuntia, at Harachandi Sahi in Puri town on the day as well as offer floral tributes to Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das and Jayi Rajguru.