Patna: Railway Minister Nitish Kumar on July 8 ruled out rescinding the notification on creation of new East-Central railway zone headquartered at Hajipur but said either Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee or the Union Cabinet can take a fresh view on the issue.

"What for shall I review or withdraw the notifications to set up seven new railway zones, including the one at Hajipur? I will not backtrack on the decision taken as per law and after meticulous study," Kumar told reporters.

Asked how the controversy could be resolved, Kumar said, "The decision to create new zones was taken by the Union Cabinet and the Cabinet or Prime Minister were competent to take a decision on a review."

"But as far as the railways was concerned, the matter was closed," he added.

Kumar said that he was not aware of Vajpayee government thinking of any formula either to set up a Group of Ministers or an expert committee to find an amicable solution to the controversy raised by Trinamool Congress demanding withdrawal of the notification to bifurcate Eastern Railway with headquarters in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on July 8 thanked Vajpayee, Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani and Railway Minister Nitish Kumar for issue of notification for creation of the East Coast railway zone by the Central government.

This has fulfilled a long-standing demand of the people of the state, he said.

The new railway zone, carved out of the South Eastern Railway, will have its headquarter at Bhuvaneswar.

PTI