Concerned over slow pace of socio-economic development in Odisha's Mayurbhanj district, Tribal Affairs Minister V Kishore Chandra Deo has demanded passenger train services in the area.
Deo wrote a letter in this regard to Railway Ministry Pawan Kumar Bansal last week highlighting the need for better rail connectivity in the "most backward and underdeveloped area" of the state.
Nilgiri block in Mayurbhanj district has one of the highest concentrations of Naxalites in the country and it suffers from extremely low economic development, officials in the Tribal Affairs Ministry said.
"Unfettered passenger service on this segment will certainly help in quicker development of this entire region, which has now become very critical and sensitive due to extremist activities," Deo wrote in the letter.
"I request you to kindly accept the demand as it would not only fulfil social commitment but would also significantly facilitate in normalising the situation in these areas," he said.
Deo had visited the tribal areas of Odisha last week. The demand for a passenger rail line was raised with him by the tribal population during his meetings in the Nilgiri district.
Though Balasore, the district headquarters, has a 20-km rail line, but it is used to operate goods train only.
In his letter, Deo also mentioned that Nilgiri, an erstwhile princely state, was the "first to merge with the union after independence".
