Odisha Opposition Unites Against Railway Board's 'Anti-Odisha' Move

In a rare show of unity, ten opposition parties in Odisha, including major players like the BJD and Congress, have come together to vehemently oppose the Railway Board's recent decision. The decision to transfer the Palasa-Ichhapuram section from the East Coast Railway (ECoR) to the South Coast Railway (SCoR) has been labeled as 'anti-Odisha and unjust' by these parties.

During a significant gathering, parties such as the BJD, Congress, CPI, and others resolved to stage a protest at the East Coast Railway Zone headquarters, demanding the rollback of the contentious decision. They criticized what they see as the central government's plan to weaken Odisha's infrastructure and revenue generation capabilities. This section's transfer will reportedly reduce ECoR's size and income.

Notably, some BJP leaders have also joined the dissenting voices, indicating a rift over the issue within the ruling coalition. In a clarifying statement, the Odisha government downplayed projected revenue impacts, stating the absence of major originating freight revenue stations in the concerned section.