Odisha’s Railway infrastructure set for major upgrade as Ashwini Vaishnaw announces investment of Rs 1 lakh crore

With the formation of a double-engine government of BJP in Odisha and Centre, now, the gap created during the past years, will be met by creating a new record in these five years, Vaishnaw said. (PTI)

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday (June 30) announced that Odisha will witness new railway projects worth Rs 1 lakh crore over the next five years. The railway minister made this declaration at a felicitation event organised by the Odisha BJP to honor the party’s 20 MPs and 78 MLAs elected in the recent Lok Sabha and Assembly polls.

While addressing the event, Vaishnaw highlighted how the previous governments in the state had neglect of the railway sector for so many years and emphasised that the BJP-led double-engine government at both the state and central levels aims to bridge the developmental gap.

Also ReadIndian Railways monsoon preparedness: Western and Central Railways gear up to ensure uninterrupted train services in Mumbai

Odisha set to achieve new milestones in railway infrastructure

Vaishnaw expressed confidence in setting a new record of progress in Odisha’s railway infrastructure within the next five years.

Addressing delays in existing projects, Vaishnaw attributed them to land acquisition challenges during the previous BJD government’s tenure. He assured that under the current administration, the pace of railway projects would accelerate significantly.

Also ReadIndian Railways gears up for Odisha’s Ratha Jatra, plans to run 315 special trains to and from Puri – Check dates, route and more

Underlining the increased focus on Odisha in recent railway budgets, the railway minister noted a sizable rise in allocation, from Rs 800 crore during the UPA government to over Rs 10,000 crore under the Modi government annually for the past three years.

Vaishnaw also highlighted infrastructure achievements, including the construction of 1,826 km of new railway lines in Odisha over the last decade, surpassing the entire railway network of Sri Lanka.

Also ReadWestern Railway to operate special train between Dadar and Nandurbar from July 5-27 to manage passenger traffic

15 special trains for Rath Yatra

Ahead of the Rath Yatra in Puri, Indian Railways announced plans for 315 special trains from 25 districts of Odisha to facilitate smooth travel for pilgrims, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and convenience.

Additionally, as the IT Minister, Vaishnaw mentioned plans for establishing an electronic manufacturing cluster and a semiconductor training center in Odisha, reflecting broader developmental goals beyond railway infrastructure.