Odisha CM Discusses Railway Infrastructure Development with Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi on Friday to discuss key railway infrastructure projects aimed at boosting connectivity and economic growth in the state.

The meeting covered several sanctioned projects, including a 250-km railway line between Gopalpur and Rayagada and the final location survey for the doubling of the Nuapada-Gunupur-Therubali line. These projects are expected to accelerate development, particularly in southern Odisha.

According to a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), Majhi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Vaishnaw for their continued focus on Odisha's infrastructure. Discussions also highlighted the construction of the Joda-Badabil and Badabil-Barasuan railway lines, which are set to support an industrial corridor and generate employment in Keonjhar.

Vaishnaw noted that the Centre has committed ₹73,000 crore to ongoing railway projects in Odisha. Since 2014, the state has seen the construction of 2,046 km of new railway lines—exceeding Malaysia’s total rail network. Additionally, eight new railway lines worth ₹20,000 crore have been approved in the latest government term.

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is upgrading 59 stations across Odisha, including 16 in aspirational districts. Vaishnaw also confirmed that the process to establish the Rayagada Railway Division has begun, and six Vande Bharat trains are now operational in the state.

The Central government remains committed to further enhancing Odisha’s railway network in the coming years, Vaishnaw assured.

ET