Bhubaneswar, 24 March (H.S.): A delegation of Members of Parliament from Odisha, led by Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, met Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday, urging early resolution of the long-pending land allotment issue concerning the Railway Employees Cultural Association (RECA) in Kharagpur. The delegation also submitted a memorandum in this regard.

The MPs requested the regularisation of approximately 5,915 square metres of Railway land located in the New Settlement area of Kharagpur in favour of the Railway Employees Cultural Association. The matter has remained unresolved for over three decades.

According to the memorandum, the issue dates back to March 8, 1999, when Odisha MPs had written to the Prime Minister seeking intervention. Subsequently, late Union Minister Debendra Pradhan had also urged then Minister of State for Railways Ram Naik on March 15, 1999, to facilitate the allotment.

The MPs highlighted that since 1989, the association has played a vital role in promoting cultural unity and social welfare among railway employees in Kharagpur, a multilingual railway town. Through activities linked to the Jagannath Temple tradition, it has also contributed significantly to the promotion of Odia culture.

As per internal railway reports, the association has been in long-standing possession and use of the land, where infrastructure such as a school, temple, and other community facilities already exist. Officials, including those from the South Eastern Railway and the Divisional Railway Manager (Kharagpur), have previously recommended regularisation of the land.

However, delays in formal allotment have hindered the association’s developmental activities. The MPs urged the Railway Minister to treat the matter as a “special case” and expedite the process in the interest of railway employees and the general public.

Speaking on the issue, Dharmendra Pradhan said that RECA is not limited to religious activities but plays an important role in fostering national integration and social harmony. He emphasized that a permanent resolution would greatly benefit railway employees from various parts of the country residing in Kharagpur.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda