Nabarangpur, Feb 17: Nabarangpur MP Eng. Balabhadra Majhi met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and requested arrangements for additional passages along the proposed Nabarangpur–Jeypore railway line passing near Nabarangpur town.
In the memorandum, he urged that railway authorities should coordinate with the State Highway authorities and re-examine the project plan. This would help properly align the number and chainage of Railway Over Bridges (ROB) and Railway Under Bridges (RUB) along the railway line and the NH-26 bypass, ensuring the city’s long-term connectivity needs for the next 50 years.
It was also mentioned that the alignment of the new railway line is very close to the town. Near the proposed NH bypass and railway line are several important institutions, including Nabarangpur College, the District Headquarters Hospital, District Court, Government Nursing College, offices of the Deputy Director of Agriculture and Horticulture, City School, the stadium, Saraswati Shishu Vidyamandir, and other establishments. Residential construction is also rapidly increasing in the surrounding areas.
Therefore, before the NH bypass and the new railway line become operational, adequate urban expansion and crossing facilities should be ensured along these corridors. About six underpasses are being provided within roughly 9 km of the NH bypass stretch. On the railway side near the Koraput border (within about 7 km), there is a plan for one Railway Over Bridge and nine Railway Under Bridges.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this project was prepared during 2016–17. Considering the present urban growth of Nabarangpur, the MP has requested timely steps to prevent future traffic problems.