Odisha CM writes for new Rajdhani Exp via Sambalpur

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today shot a letter to Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal urging him to introduce a new Rajdhani Express train via Sambalpur instead of East Coast Railways (ECOR’s) plan to divert existing one via Sambalpur.

“I would, therefore, urge upon you to consider the genuine needs of the people and introduce a new Rajdhani Express train via Sambalpur with stoppages at Dhenkanal and Angul stations,” the Chief Minister wrote to the Union Railways Minister today.

The Chief Minister has expressed disappointment over ECOR’s plans to divert an existing Rajdhani Express via Sambalpur instead of giving Odisha a new train.

“…..it is disappointing to note that instead of giving Odisha a new train, East Coast Railway is planning to divert an existing Rajdhani Express and run the same via Sambalpur, once a week, starting from 10.02.2018. As this will reduce the service of Rajdhani for the existing route, I would request that this decision may be reviewed and a new Rajdhani train may be given to Odisha, thereby restoring the frequency of the diverted train,” Patnaik said in the letter expressing his disappointment over the ECOR’s plans.

The Chief Minister has pointed out to strong resentment amongst the people due to omission of stoppages at district headquarters cities of Dhenkanal and Angul in the route notified by ECOR for the Rajdhani Express which is to run via Sambalpur.

It does not cater to the needs of the people of these parts of the State, he has added.