Rail Minister Vaishnaw Relishes Odia Cuisine At MP Pratap Sarangi’s Kutcha House

Taking a break from his packed schedule in Odisha, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw paid a visit to the humble kutcha dwelling of fellow BJP MP and former MoS Pratap Sarangi where he had a sumptuous time with the Parliamentarian, on Friday.

Both had lunch together where they relished on exquisite Odia cuisine prepared by Sarangi’s sister Bilasini. The platter included rice, dal, palau, khir, paneer curry, manja bara (made from banana stem), Koshala Saga (Amarnath leaves curry), Methi Saga (fenugreek leaves curry), Bilati Khata (tomato chutney), Betala Phula bara and papad.  

Sarangi had made the arrangements at his dilapidated thatched house with a plethora of vegetarian dishes. Vaishnaw, Minister Bishweshwar Tudu and other high ranking railway officials sat on the floor and had their food served on banana leaves.

Following lunch, Vaishnaw attended a foundation laying ceremony at Jaleswar.

Earlier, the Minister laid the foundation stone for the proposed track renewal project ahead of starting passenger train service to Balasore's Nilagiri. 

He said the project will complete in 6 months. "We will carry out inspection of the existing 100-year-old rail track in Nilagiri to identify the required works so that the new proposed passenger train will roll on it within 5-6 months," said Vaishnaw.

As reported, Vaishnaw, who is on a two-day Odisha visit, travelled to Nilagiri station in a loco. After laying the foundation station for the proposed rail project at Nilagiri, the Minister travelled to Basta and inaugurated a new station building. He also laid the foundation stone for the Bhadrak-Khadagpur  3rd railway track project.