Confrontation Between BJP and BJD Regarding Waltair Division in Odisha Assembly
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Bhubaneswar, Dec 11 (NationPress) The Odisha Assembly experienced a fervent debate on Wednesday between the ruling BJP and the opposition BJD concerning the anticipated division of the Waltair Division from the East Coast Railway (ECoR).
During the Zero Hour, senior BJD member Ranendra Pratap Swain brought up the subject, alleging that a conspiracy is underway to integrate the Waltair Division of ECoR with the new South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone.
He claimed that Odisha could face a financial setback of approximately Rs 20,000 crore as a result of this separation. Swain emphasized that the party will firmly oppose any conspiracy targeting Odisha's interests.
BJD leader Goutam Buddha Das told reporters that the move to transfer the Waltair Division to the SCoR zone was intended to appease Andhra Pradesh, accusing the Central government of neglecting Odisha.
He noted that five districts in Odisha—Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh—are part of the Chakradharpur division, along with Balasore district, which falls under the Kharagpur railway division of the South Eastern Railway (SER) zone.
He stated that if the Waltair division is relocated, the central government should integrate parts of these Odisha districts that are currently under the SER zone with the ECoR.
In response to the opposition's claims, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo assured that not a single inch of railway line in Odisha would be transferred to another state.
Addressing the matter outside the assembly, Singh Deo mentioned that Odisha's MPs recently met with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who confirmed that there are three divisions under ECoR in Odisha. With the establishment of Rayagada as a new division, he reiterated that no railway line in Odisha would be relocated.
Referring to the Union Railway Minister's statements, Singh Deo highlighted that the Central government has allocated over Rs 73,000 crore for railway development in Odisha.
A tender worth Rs 107 crore has been issued for the newly sanctioned Rayagada Railway division, ensuring that ECoR will maintain three divisions.
He also pointed out that the highest revenue-generating Kothavalasa–Kirandul rail line, which includes areas from Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, will be shifted to the Rayagada division, thereby ensuring no revenue loss for the ECoR.
