Context: The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural heritage (INTACH) has objected to the demolition of the Paralakhemundi railway station built in 1899 and has sought heritage status for it.
The Paralakhemundi railway station:
- Located in the Gajapati district, Paralakhemundi railway station, isĀ one of the oldest stations of Odisha.
- TheĀ Maharajas of (Parlakimedi) Paralakhemundi,Ā Goura Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo II, decided to connect his capital with Naupada and started the Parlakimedi Light Railway in the year 1899-1900.
- In 1902, the British government took Over theĀ Parlakimedi Light Railway.
- The INTACH has demanded that many of the wayside stations of the PLR, including the bridges culverts and other facilities should beĀ preserved as heritageĀ and the existing station should not be demolished or restructured in any way.
Paralakhemundi Royal Estate:
- Paralakhemundi was theĀ largest royal state in the GanjamĀ district of theĀ madras Presidency.
- The ParalakhemundiĀ kings are believed to be the descendedĀ from the Gajapati Kings ofĀ Odishaās Eastern Ganga Dynasty.
SOURCE: THE HINDU, THE ECONOMIC TIMES, PIB