Vande Bharat Express for Odisha soon: Vaishnaw

Bhubaneswar: Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw during his visit to Odisha on Saturday reviewed the ongoing projects and traffic facility works with the General Manager and other principal heads of East Coast Railway (ECoR).

As the projects in the state are being given priority for speedy construction work and early completion; Vaishnaw advised railway Officials to expedite the construction work so that the ongoing works will be completed at the earliest.

He also told officials to remain in constant touch and coordination with all agencies including state government officials, to complete the projects as soon as possible.

Also read: ECoR general manager inspects Bhubaneswar railway station

Later he participated in the Odisha Nirman Conclave-2022 and informed about the transformation of Indian Railways with multiple vision, new innovation, early completion of projects, port connectivity etc.

Vaishnaw said before 2014, Odisha was getting Rs 830 crore budgetary allocation. In the current year, Odisha got about Rs 10,000 crore budgetary allocation, which is much more than the expectations.

He also informed that only 20 to 25 km of rail line was being developed in the state before 2014. Last year, about 180 km of rail line was completed and this year about 550 km of rail line will be developed.
Vaishnaw also informed that 28 stations have been planned to be redeveloped. He also said that Odisha will soon get Vande Bharat Express.

Railway is planning to run Jagannath Circuit train before Rath Yatra which will showcase the great culture, heritage and history of Lord Jagannath and Odisha, he said.