Historic boost for Odisha Railways as Budget allocates record investment: Vaishnaw

Bhubaneswar, Feb 2 — Odisha is poised for a major transformation in railway infrastructure following a historic allocation in the Union Budget 2026–27, Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Sunday.

Addressing the media via video conference from Rail Sadan, Vaishnaw said the unprecedented funding reflects the Centre’s strong commitment to accelerating rail-led growth in eastern India, with Odisha emerging as a key beneficiary.

He noted that the annual average railway investment in Odisha has witnessed a dramatic rise — from ₹838 crore during 2009–14 to ₹10,928 crore in 2026–27 — marking an impressive 13-fold increase. This sustained funding has powered large-scale infrastructure development across the state.

According to the minister, railway projects worth over ₹90,659 crore are currently underway in Odisha. These include new line construction, track doubling, capacity enhancement, station redevelopment, and critical safety upgrades aimed at ensuring inclusive growth and improved connectivity across regions.

Under the Amrit Station Scheme, 59 stations in Odisha have been selected for comprehensive redevelopment at a total cost of ₹2,439 crore. Vaishnaw said redevelopment works have already been completed at Cuttack (Second Entry), Baripada, Barpali, Bimlagarh, Parlakhemundi, and Talcher, significantly improving passenger amenities and station infrastructure.

The minister also highlighted improvements in train services, stating that Odisha currently operates six pairs each of Vande Bharat Express and Amrit Bharat Express trains, offering faster, safer, and more comfortable travel to passengers.

Network expansion remains a major focus, with around 2,200 km of new railway tracks laid in the state since 2014 — surpassing the total railway network length of Malaysia. Odisha has also achieved 100 per cent railway electrification, with 1,559 km of lines electrified, enhancing energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

On safety measures, Vaishnaw said 632 road overbridges and underpasses have been constructed across the state, while advanced safety systems such as Kavach are being progressively implemented on key routes to strengthen operational safety.

He emphasised that these initiatives aim to position Odisha as a major growth engine by combining world-class railway infrastructure, improved passenger experience, and enhanced logistics capacity to drive long-term socio-economic development.

The press conference was attended by East Coast Railway General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal and other senior railway officials.