Odisha is poised for significant railway infrastructure growth, with a substantial budget allocation aimed at enhancing connectivity & modernization across the state
OdishaPlus Bureau
Odisha has been allocated Rs 10,599 crore for the Railways in the Budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, as announced by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday. During a press briefing, Vaishnaw highlighted that this allocation represents an increase of Rs 13 crore compared to the funding received by the state in the 2024-25 financial year.
He expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for their collaborative efforts, which facilitated the acquisition of a No Objection Certificate for land and forest use. This cooperation has enabled the Railways to invest Rs 78,000 crore in Odisha, with several projects still in progress.
At present, six new Vande Bharat Express trains are operational in and through Odisha, and additional trains are expected to be introduced soon, as the four-laning project between Chennai and Calcutta nears completion and railway work from Calcutta to Bhadrak continues.
Vaishnaw further stated that over the past decade, a new railway track spanning 2046 kilometers has been constructed in Odisha, surpassing the total rail network of Malaya. Currently, the Kavach train protection system is set to be installed over a distance of 1898 kilometers in Odisha, with a national target established to complete the Kavach installation within six years, as informed by the Railway Minister. Since 2014, a total of 1,516 kilometers have been electrified, resulting in Odisha achieving 100% electrification.
At present, there are 48 projects underway, covering 4,784 kilometers, with an investment of Rs 73,723 Crore. Additionally, 59 Amrit stations in Odisha are being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,379 Crore. Since 2014, 522 rail flyovers and under-bridges have been constructed. Furthermore, 43 lifts and 18 escalators have been installed for passenger convenience, and Wi-Fi services are available at 234 stations.
The railway network is also operating six Vande Bharat trains, which serve 17 districts with 25 unique stops in Odisha. In addition, one Amrit Bharat Express connects Malda Town with eight unique stops in Odisha and covers five districts. The 59 railway stations in Odisha designated for development as Amrit stations include: Angul, Badampahar, Balangir, Baleshwar, Balugaon, Barbil, Bargarh Road, Baripada, Barpali, Belpahar, Betnoti, Bhadrak, Bhawanipatna, Bhubaneswar, Bhubaneswar New, Bimlagarh, Brahmapur, Brajrajnagar, Chatrapur, Cuttack, Damanjodi, Dhenkanal, Gunupur, Harishanker Road, Himgir, Hirakud, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Jaleswar, Jaroli, Jeypore, Jharsuguda Junction, Jharsuguda Road, Kantabanji, Kendujhargarh, Kesinga, Khariar Road, Khurda Road Junction, Koraput Junction, Lingaraj Temple Road, Mancheswar, Meramandali, Muniguda, Panposh, Paradeep, Parlakhemundi, Puri, Raghunathpur, Rairakhol, Rairangpur, Rajgangpur, Rayagada, Rourkela, Sakhi Gopal, Sambalpur, Sambalpur City, Soro, Talcher, Talcher Road, and Titlagarh Junction.
