Argus News - Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan Hails Highest-Ever Rail Allocation for Odisha

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Feb 2: Odisha has been allocated Rs 10,928 crore for railway infrastructure development in the Union Budget 2026–27, an amount described as the highest-ever annual allocation for the state, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on Monday.

In a statement, Pradhan said the allocation under the Centre’s “Purvodaya Mission” would support comprehensive development of railway infrastructure in Odisha and contribute to the state’s economic growth. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for the allocation.

Pradhan said the current allocation was about 13 times higher than the average annual railway outlay Odisha received between 2009 and 2014. He said railway projects worth around Rs 90,659 crore were currently underway in the state.

According to the statement, about 2,200 km of new railway tracks have been laid in Odisha over the past 11 years. Pradhan also said the state has achieved 100% railway electrification. He termed the developments an example of the Centre’s focus on governance and public service.

Under the Amrit Station Scheme, modernisation work is ongoing at 59 railway stations in Odisha at a cost of Rs 2,439 crore, Pradhan said. He added that redevelopment work at six stations - Cuttack, Talcher, Baripada, Barpali, Bimalagarh and Paralakhemundi - has been completed.

The minister said passenger connectivity has improved with the operation of six Vande Bharat Express and six Amrit Bharat Express trains in the state. For passenger safety, 632 flyovers and underpasses have been constructed, while the Kavach train protection system is being implemented, he said.

Pradhan said the proposed Dedicated East–West Freight Corridor announced in the current budget would link West Bengal, Jharkhand and Odisha with Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Gujarat. He said the corridor would support freight movement and industrial activity in the region.

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He said the railway investment under the Purvodaya Mission would also support employment generation and long-term infrastructure development in Odisha.