Bhubaneswar: The Union Railway Ministry has approved many important railway infrastructure projects for Odisha.
The final location survey has been approved for the 2050 km long Gopalpur-Rayagada new railway line and the doubling of the Nuapada-Gunupur-Therubali railway line.
These two projects will further enhance the economic development of Odisha, especially in South Odisha, along with railway infrastructure.
For this, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnaw.
The Chief Minister said that the Prime Minister has continued his focus for the development of Odisha. He said that under the guidance of the Prime Minister, Odisha will definitely achieve the goals set for development.
Notably, Majhi, during his Delhi visit on Thursday, discussed the development of railway infrastructure in Odisha with Vaishnaw.
Various new projects as well as the sanctioned projects were also discussed between the Chief Minister and the Railway Minister.
Majhi emphasized the construction of Joda-Barbil and Joda-Barsuan railway lines which he said will help in the state government’s plan to build an industrial corridor connecting Barbil, Joda and Keonjhar.
Along with this, the Chief Minister requested to expedite the projects of South Odisha along with other projects of the state.
Stating that railway connectivity has a significant impact on economic growth, the Chief Minister said that it can significantly increase the pace of development and also create many employment opportunities.
Vaishnaw said that the Union Government is taking positive steps for these two railway projects. He said that the Prime Minister has a special focus for the development of Odisha.
He said that construction of railway projects worth Rs 73,000 crore is currently underway in Odisha. Since 2014, 2046 km. of new railway lines have been constructed in Odisha, which is more than the entire railway network of Malaysia.
The Rail Minister added that the central government is focused on the development of railway infrastructure in the tribal and aspirational districts of Odisha.
During the third term of the Modi government, 8 new railway lines worth Rs 20,000 crore have been sanctioned so far, while 59 railway stations are being developed as Amrit stations.
Out of these, 16 stations are in aspirational districts, the Railway Minister said.
“The Prime Minister has recently laid the foundation stone for Rayagada division and six Vande Bharat trains are currently running in Odisha.
