Bhubaneswar, Aug. 26: The East Coast Railway (ECR) has stated that it “enjoys excellent rapport” with the Orissa government and gets adequate support from it for the development of railway infrastructure in the state.

In a statement, the ECR also said: “There exists a joint mechanism between the railway and revenue department of the Orissa government wherein regular meetings are held to expedite the land acquisition required for development and progress of work relating to various projects.” Moreover, it also said that the railways and the government of Orissa were working together with the aim of completing all the projects on target (time).”

The Telegraph on August 25 had carried a detailed report on how facts available with the railway ministry show that the Orissa’s allegations of having been neglected in the field of railways was not true and that most of the ongoing projects had been delayed because of the inaction on part of the state authorities.

The report, which was based on communications between the state and the Centre in this regard, had no reference to the joint mechanism referred to by the East Coast Railway. That the railways and the state government are working together to complete projects goes without saying.