Odisha seeks new Rajdhani Express instead of diversion via Sambalpur

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday demanded for a new Rajdhani Express instead of diversion of the existing one via Sambalpur.

In a letter to Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, Patnaik expressed displeasure over East Coast Railway’s (ECoR) plan to divert the existing Rajdhani Express and run the same via Sambalpur from February, 2018.

Also Read: New Rajdhani Exp via Sambalpur to run from Feb next year: ECoR

“It is disappointing, instead of a new Rajdhani Express, ECoR has planned to divert an existing train and run the same via Sambalpur. Hence, such decision needs to be reviewed and a new Rajdhani Express may be given to Odisha, thereby restoring the frequency of the diverted train,” Patnaik said in his letter.

Besides, the routes and stoppages notified by ECoR have also drawn sharp resentment among the residents of Sambalpur and other parts of the state, wrote Patnaik.

The existing Rajdhani Express to New Delhi goes to Bhadrak and Balasore while the Rajdhani via Sambalpur will not be stopping at the district headquarter stations and cities of Angul and Dhenkanal, Naveen highlighted.

Also Read: Rajdhani Express via Sambalpur to commence soon: Piyush Goyal