Railway Minister reviews status of ongoing projects in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw conducted a comprehensive review of the ongoing projects in the region with a particular focus on the East Coast Railway (ECoR) jurisdiction.

The review meeting highlighted several key areas of progress and concern, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure development.

Vaishnaw stressed the identification and resolution of problem areas in ongoing projects. For early completion of Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line, the tunnel works will be constructed from both sides. Steps to be taken to connect NH in the route with the major tunnel of about seven kilometers long, so that the construction works will be done at the earliest.

Apart from this, the construction work in Talcher-Bimalagarh New Line will be done from both sides, i.e. from Talcher side and Bimalagarh side simultaneously.

Apart from this, Railway Ministry will conduct a review meeting with the office of the Chief Minister of Odisha in near future to short out the issues and early completion of ongoing Railway projects in the State.

These apart, Special focus was given to the redevelopment of Amrit Stations. Review for ongoing construction works of Amrit Stations will be done shortly in next time, added Vaishnaw.

The Prime Minister has given special focus to Odisha and sanctioned 10536 crores for infrastructural development in the state in the field of Railways, which is a all-time-high budgetary provision.

Steps have been taken to connect all districts of Odisha in Railway Network. In last 10 years, 1826 Track Kilometers of Rail Line has been constructed in Odisha which is more than the total Rail Network in Srilanka, said Vaishnaw.

Target has been given to ECoR for construction of 500 KMs Rail Line in the current financial year. In last fiscal, 450Kms Rail Line was achieved by ECoR. Priority has been given for expansion of rail lines, underlining its importance for economic growth and connectivity, added Vaishnaw.

The review meeting was attended by ECoR General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal, all Principal Heads of Departments of ECoR, Senior Officials from ECoR Headquarters, Divisional Railway Manager of Khurda Road H S Bajwa and Branch Officers from the Khurda Road Division.

Ashwini Vaishnaw’s review underscored the Ministry’s commitment to accelerating railway development in Odisha, ensuring efficient project execution and enhancing the quality of railway services. The Railway Minister’s directives aim to drive forward infrastructure growth and operational excellence in the ECoR region.