Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw painted a vivid picture of Odisha’s rail transformation on Sunday, revealing ₹90,000 crore in ongoing projects aimed at revolutionizing the state’s transport infrastructure. At the Bhubaneswar event inaugurating a cutting-edge semiconductor unit, he detailed how the Centre is prioritizing Odisha’s rail expansion to handle surging passenger and freight demands.
Vaishnaw’s Odisha tour included a hands-on inspection of Bhubaneswar station’s facelift, where he pushed for accelerated timelines and superior standards. Travelers praised the emerging modern facilities, likening them to airports. Directing officials to expedite the eastern elevated corridor, the minister ensured quick resolution of bottlenecks.
This year’s record allocation of ₹10,928 crore to Odisha’s railways is accelerating these initiatives. The Amrit Bharat scheme is revamping 59 stations into passenger-friendly hubs. Ambitious connectivity goals target rail links to every one of the state’s 30 districts, unlocking potential in underserved regions.
Highlighting mega projects such as the Balasore-Berhampur four-line corridor, Vaishnaw explained how they will boost capacity and fuel economic momentum. Ultimately, these efforts position Odisha as a vital cog in India’s rail network, fostering sustained growth and improved livelihoods.
