Deogarh, Apr 30: The Odisha government is not implementing Central welfare schemes in Odisha for fear that Prime Minister Narendra Modi might take advantage from the pro-people programmes. Construction of National Highway 55 has been stalled due to the step-motherly attitude of the Odisha government.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan made these allegations while participating in the nomination filing event of the BJP's Deogarh assembly seat candidate Subash Panigrahy here today.

Stating that the construction of National Highway 53 is completed, Pradhan said 90 percent of NH 55 has been constructed and the rest has stalled due to non-cooperation from the Odisha government. He said the State government is knowingly delaying the land acquisition process.

"Naveen Patnaik is opposing all the Central schemes coming to Odisha. Lest Prime Minister Narendra Modi take mileage, this fear has gripped the BJD government," pointed out Pradhan.

Pradhan said logistics parks and waterways are underway in the State. The waterway in the Brahmani river basin runs from Dhamra to Talcher through Paradip. It will be extended to Barkote. "If there is a double-engine government in the State, everything will be easy," Pradhan asserted.

On the occasion, Pradhan said a railway line will start from Barkote and run through Jharsuguda, Tileibani, and Riamal to Deogarh municipality. He wanted to know the Central government or who else is doing all this work.

He urged the voters of Deogarh to vote for the BJP and establish a double-engineered government for the development and protection of the self-identity and self-dignity of the State.

Pradhan offered prayers at the Jagannath temple in Lugagarh before participating in the nomination submission programme of Subash Panigrahy.

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