Bhubaneswar: On Wednesday, Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced that the recent approval of several railway track-laying initiatives by the Centre will greatly enhance transportation links in the coastal and industrial areas of the state.
In a correspondence to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Majhi expressed his appreciation for the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for endorsing these multi-tracking projects.
Earlier that day, the committee sanctioned four multi-tracking projects with a total investment of approximately Rs 9,450 crore, which will see the construction of 410 km of new railway lines.
These initiatives comprise the following: a 173-km fourth line connecting Kharagpur and Bhadrak (Ranital) across West Bengal and Odisha, a 75-km fourth line from Bhadrak to Haridaspur in Odisha, a 90-km third and fourth line between Gummidipundi and Gudur in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, and a 72-km third and fourth line from Cuttack to Paradeep (Badabandha) in Odisha.
The chief minister noted that these approvals represent a pivotal advancement for Odisha’s rail infrastructure, aimed at alleviating congestion on essential freight and passenger routes, while significantly enhancing connectivity for the coastal and industrial districts.
In addition to boosting the capacity for transporting key commodities such as coal, iron ore, cement, steel, and food grains crucial to Odisha’s economy, these projects will also improve access to various attractions, including Bhitarkanika National Park, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandipur Beach, Gada Kujanga Jagannath Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple, Sarala Temple, and the Buddhist heritage site of Lalitgiri.
Majhi stated, “This will provide a new impetus to tourism, pilgrimage, and local livelihoods throughout the region,” and emphasized that the improved connectivity will benefit numerous villages and millions of residents, highlighting the Centre’s ongoing dedication to the development of Odisha under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
He extended his gratitude to the Prime Minister and the railway minister for this important investment in Odisha’s railway infrastructure and its future expansion.
An official statement revealed that these four projects will impact eight districts across West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.
The planned multi-tracking projects are expected to enhance connectivity to around 6,448 villages, home to approximately 60 lakh people.
