Alternative Puri-Konark railway route proposed

IN a significant development, the Odisha government has proposed the East Coast Railway (ECoR) to reconsider the alignment of the proposed Puri-Konark new railway line and explore alternatives to provide a scenic coastline view from the rail track to attract tourists.

- HEMANT KUMAR ROUT @Bhubaneswar

This move comes as a huge surprise as it goes against the route approved by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The prime minister had approved the 32-km railway line, bypassing Balukhand reserve forest and the eco-sensitive zone last year. The project was sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹492 crore.