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Bhubaneswar: The shifting of the proposed wagon repair unit of Railways to Visakhapatnam rocked the Assembly today after ruling party members protested the decision alleging step-motherly treatment to Odisha.
Opposition Congress also vehemently protested the Railways' decision to shift the factory leading to the adjournment of the house.
BJD legislator Amar Satpathy raised the issue terming it at as another example of central negligence towards Odisha. Later Congress members also demanded a discussion on the matter criticizing the Centre. They wondered how the 20 MPs of ruling-BJD could not even get a whiff of the decision.
“This is an unfortunate development and the Central government is deliberately trying to weaken the socio-economic situation of Odisha. Kalahand-Bolangir-Koraput (KBK) districts are the most backward districts in India. This wagon factory was the first big project in Kalahandi. The central government has delayed the project citing various reasons like lack of land, water and also operational hassles. How can the central government rob a district like Kalahandi of an important developmental project and to serve whose interest? Irrespective of political allegiance, everyone should raise his voice against this decision and take the matter to the Rail ministry,” said BJD’s Dibya Shankar Mishra.
“A wagon factory in Kalahandi was a project first initiated by the UPA government. However, the current government’s decision to shift the project to Andhra Pradesh is very unfortunate. The leader of opposition therefore has urged all parties to unite and protest this decision. What is even more unfortunate is the fact that how the 20 MPs of ruling BJD and 2 union ministers from Odisha didn’t even have any information about the same,” said Congress’ Naba Das.
“The decision is not yet finalized as a recommendation has been sent to the Railway Board by the East Coast Railways. Nothing is confirmed yet. If East Coast Railways have decided, then let them set up another factory at Visakhapatnam. BJP will fight to get the factory set up at Narla,” said BJP’s Kuchinda MLA Rabi Narayan Nayak.
