Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Railways has approved several crucial railway infrastructure projects for Odisha.
The final location survey has been sanctioned for the 250-kilometer-long new railway line connecting Gopalpur-Rayagada and the doubling of the Nuapada-Gunupur-Theruvali railway line.
These two projects will significantly enhance railway infrastructure and economic development in Odisha, particularly in South Odisha.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for their support.
The Chief Minister stated that the Prime Minister has consistently focused on Odisha’s development and expressed confidence that the state will achieve its developmental goals under the Prime Minister’s guidance.
It is noteworthy that Chief Minister Majhi, during his visit to Delhi, met with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw yesterday to discuss the development of railway infrastructure in Odisha. The meeting also covered various new projects and the approved initiatives.
During the discussions, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of the Joda-Barbil and Joda-Barsuan railway lines. He highlighted that these lines would support the state government’s plan to create an industrial corridor connecting Barbil, Joda, and Keonjhar.
Following the Chief Minister’s intervention, the prospects for the construction of these two railway lines have brightened. Additionally, the Chief Minister urged the Railway Minister to expedite other projects in the state, particularly in South Odisha.
The Chief Minister emphasized the critical role of railway connectivity in economic growth, stating that it would not only accelerate development but also create numerous employment opportunities.
Railway Minister Vaishnaw assured that the Central Government is taking positive steps regarding these two railway projects.
He reiterated the Prime Minister’s special focus on Odisha’s development and mentioned that steps are being taken to transform Odisha into an economic engine of the country as part of the vision for the next 25 years of Amrit Kaal.
He added that extensive development of railway infrastructure is being undertaken in Odisha to achieve this goal.
Vaishnaw informed that railway projects worth ₹73,000 crore are currently underway in Odisha. Since 2014, 2,046 kilometers of new railway lines have been constructed in the state, which is more than the entire railway network of Malaysia.
The Railway Minister stated that the Central Government is focused on developing railway infrastructure in tribal-dominated and aspirational districts of Odisha.
In the third term of the Modi Government, approval has been granted for the construction of eight new railway lines worth ₹20,000 crore, and 59 railway stations are being developed as Amrit Stations, out of which 16 are in aspirational districts.
He also mentioned that the Prime Minister has laid the foundation stone for the Rayagada division.
Additionally, six Vande Bharat trains are currently operational in Odisha, with further extensive measures planned for the state’s railway infrastructure in the coming days.
