Congress Member of Parliament Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka has launched a strong appeal to the central government, demanding urgent action on long-stalled railway projects crucial for the development of southern Odisha. Speaking during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha, the Koraput MP highlighted the critical need to improve rail connectivity to unlock the region's economic and social potential.
Rayagada Railway Division: An 8-Year Wait for Notification
The most prominent demand centered on the immediate notification of the Rayagada railway division. Ulaka pointed out that the division was announced eight years ago, and its foundation stone was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January of this year. However, the absence of a formal government notification has rendered the project essentially non-functional.
"Because the division has not been notified, decisions continue to be taken remotely by the Waltair division in Visakhapatnam," the MP stated. This remote management from Andhra Pradesh hampers local decision-making and responsiveness.
He further detailed that the newly inaugurated office lacks essential operational departments such as engineering, electrical, signalling, and telecommunication. Apart from the appointment of a Divisional Railway Manager (DRM), no review meetings are being held, making it impossible for the entity to function as an independent division.
The proposed Rayagada division is set to cover a significant geographical area, including the Odisha districts of Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Gajapati, and Kalahandi, as well as Kirandul in neighboring Chhattisgarh.
Demand for New Daytime Train and Vande Bharat Extension
Beyond the administrative division, Ulaka pressed for tangible improvements in passenger services. He strongly advocated for the introduction of a new daytime Koraput-Bhubaneswar express train via Rayagada.
He argued that such a service would greatly alleviate the hardships faced by thousands of students, patients seeking medical treatment in the state capital, and regular commuters. A daytime connection is seen as safer and more convenient compared to existing overnight options.
Additionally, the MP called for the extension of the Bhubaneswar-Visakhapatnam Vande Bharat Express up to Koraput. This extension would bring modern, high-speed rail connectivity to the tribal hinterlands, symbolizing a leap in infrastructure and reducing travel time significantly.
Critical Projects for Regional Development
Emphasizing that these are not fresh requests, Ulaka termed the demands as "critical, justified and essential for the people of southern Odisha." The persistent lack of robust railway infrastructure is viewed as a major bottleneck for the region's growth, impacting education, healthcare access, and trade.
The MP's intervention in Parliament underscores the growing impatience among local representatives and citizens over the slow pace of infrastructure development in Odisha's southern districts. The ball is now in the central government's court to translate long-standing announcements into on-ground reality and deliver on promises made nearly a decade ago.
