Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Sunday that the Odisha government no longer needs to approach the Centre to seek funds for the development of the railway sector. This change comes as a result of the “highest-ever” allocation provided to the state this year.
A shift from past practices
During the previous government’s tenure, delegations from Odisha used to visit New Delhi to request funds for railway projects in the state. At that time, Odisha received an average of Rs 800 crore per year as railway allocation in the budget.
Record allocation for Odisha
In contrast, the Narendra Modi government has allocated a remarkable Rs 10,000 crore to the state for the railway sector in the latest budget. This substantial increase signifies a major boost for railway development in Odisha.
Accelerated pace of Railway work
Vaishnaw also highlighted the significant acceleration in railway work within the state. In the past, about 50 km of new railway lines were constructed annually. However, this figure has surged to 450 km in the last year alone.
Ambitious goals for future
The Railway Minister revealed an ambitious target to lay 500 km of railway lines in the current financial year. This goal reflects the government’s commitment to expanding and improving the railway infrastructure in Odisha.
Progress on Khurda-Bolangir Railway line
Regarding the new Khurda-Bolangir railway line, Vaishnaw reported that work from Khurda to Daspalla and from Bolangir to Sonepur has already been completed. He assured that speedy work is in progress for the remaining portion of the project.
PM Vishwakarma Yojana launch event
Ashwini Vaishnaw made these announcements while speaking at an event organized to witness the launch of the PM Vishwakarma Yojana in Delhi. This initiative signifies the government’s commitment to furthering development and infrastructure projects in various sectors, including railways, across the country.
(With PTI Inputs)