Odisha to Receive Rs 15,000 Cr Boost in Railway Infrastructure

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw approved projects worth Rs 15,000 crore for the state. Majhi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for sanctioning these projects and mentioned his meeting with the railway minister on July 27 in Delhi.

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The Cabinet Committee at the Centre has sanctioned six rail projects worth Rs 15,004 crore for Odisha. During a recent visit to the national capital on July 27 for the NITI Aayog meeting, Majhi requested Vaishnaw to approve several long-pending railway projects. "You Railway Minister called me for five minutes to have tea in Delhi and you approved 6 projects for Odisha. Thank you very much," Majhi said during a video conference from Lok Seva Bhavan.

Railway Projects and Economic Development

Majhi highlighted that these projects will enhance Odisha's railway infrastructure and aid in the economic development of its backward districts. He assured Vaishnaw that his government would support land acquisition, a significant hurdle in implementing railway projects. "People of Odisha are all very happy. These projects will strengthen the railway infrastructure in Odisha and help in the economic development of the backward districts," Majhi stated.

Vaishnaw discussed how the approved projects would connect western Odisha to the southern region, fostering economic activities in northern districts. He noted, "Approval of 6 important railway projects at one go is a historic step of the Modi government." He also mentioned that previously only 40 km of railway lines were constructed annually, but now over 300 km are built each year.

Details of Sanctioned Projects

Among the newly sanctioned lines are Gunupur-Theruvali (73.62 km) in Rayagada costing Rs 1,326 crore, Junagarh Road-Nabrangpur (116.21 km) in Kalahandi and Nawarangpur district at Rs 3,274 crore, and Malkangiri-Pandurangapuram via Bhadrachalam (173.61 km) in Malkanagiri.

Vaishnaw assured that these new projects would be completed on time with proper monitoring and collaboration with the state government. Several MPs from Odisha participated in the video conferencing session where these announcements were made.

Opposition's Criticism

The opposition BJD criticised the BJP-led central government for not approving any new railway lines in the past eight years. Spokesperson Lenin Mohanty claimed that the new lines aim to transport Odisha’s mineral wealth to other states.

The chief minister reiterated his commitment to supporting these projects and ensuring their timely completion. The approval of these projects marks a significant step towards improving connectivity and boosting economic growth in Odisha.