Balasore, Feb. 11: Minister of state for railways Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury today laid foundation stones for road overbridges near Tamulia and Soro level crossings.

An amount of Rs 44.13 crore has been estimated for the Tamulia overbridge measuring 674 metres on the outskirts of Balasore, while project cost of a 784-metre overbridge at Soro has been estimated at Rs 65.48 crore.

Both the overbridges will be built after surveys both the central and state governments sharing the cost. Two-and-a-half years will be needed to complete the two projects.

Chowdhury said: “Balasore carries a lot of strategic importance owing to presence of defence units, especially the missile testing range. The rail traffic movement on the route is also very high. Therefore, it is very much necessary to have an overbridge near the Tamulia level crossing.”

The preliminary works for construction of three other road overbridges between Basta and Jaleswar station under the South Eastern Railway are in progress.

“There is a railway line between Balasore and Nilgiri on which the goods trains run. The ministry will ensure running a passenger train at the earliest without considering commercial viability aspect,” said the minister, adding that a passenger reservation system would be opened in Baliapal for the people of north Balasore.

Union minister and local MP Srikanta Jena said: “The two overbridges would go a long away in fulfilling the demands of people of Balasore.”