Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Sasmit Patra on Monday strongly pitched for the holistic development of southern Odisha during Zero Hour in Parliament, highlighting long-standing infrastructure gaps that continue to hinder the region’s growth.

Patra urged the Union government to focus on expanding railways, national highways and airport infrastructure in southern Odisha districts such as Ganjam, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri. He stressed that inadequate connectivity has limited economic and social development in an otherwise strategically important region.

Expressing disappointment over the Union Budget, the BJD MP said Odisha had once again been neglected despite facing frequent natural disasters. He reiterated the long-pending demand for special category state status, revision of coal royalty, and inclusion of Odisha in national development initiatives such as high-speed rail projects, industrial corridors and the Buddhist circuit.

Patra pointed out that despite Odisha contributing 20 out of 21 Lok Sabha MPs to the ruling alliance, the state had not received any significant budgetary support. He noted that BJD chief Naveen Patnaik had consistently raised these demands over the years, but the Centre had failed to act.

Raising farmers’ issues, Patra flagged irregularities in paddy procurement, alleging the persistence of “katni-chatni”, delays in opening mandis, capped procurement limits, and problems with token issuance and lifting of produce. He said Naveen Patnaik had written to the Chief Minister on the matter and expressed hope that the Union government would reconsider Odisha’s concerns in future budget planning.