Title :Need to run Rajdhani Express between Bhubaneswar and New Delhi via Keonjhargarh.
SHRI ANANTA NAYAK (KEONJHAR): Bhubaneswar, the state capital of Orissa is connected by Rajdhani Express from New Delhi for only four days in a week. The 2421-2422 goes on Khargpur-Adra route and 2443-2444 goes via Khargpur and Tatanagar route. Both these Rajdhani Express trains join on separate days at Gaya and then go to New Delhi. There is no Rajdhani Express between New Delhi and Bhubaneswar on the remaining three days. Since the completion of Banaspani-Daitari line now there is a direct rail route from Tatanagar and Jajpur Road via Banspani and Keonjhargarh. This line touches upon major portion of Singhbhum and Keonjhar districts which are abundant with mineral resources and largest number of steel plants/sponge iron plants and other mining industries located in these districts. The people of these two districts also visit New Delhi for some vocation or the other. So there is a justification for connecting Rajdhani Express from these districts. If the Rajdhani Express diverts from Tatanagar for Keonjhar and joins at Jajpur-Keonjhar Road and from there goes to Bhubaneswar, two backward districts of Orissa and Jharkhand will have a direct train to New Delhi. A large number of people will be benefited thereby and this will generate good amount of revenues for Railways as it is in the case of freight.
As such, I demand that Bhubaneswar and New Delhi may be connected by Rajdhani Express on the remaining three days via Keonjhargarh without any further delay.