Odisha’s Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi met with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi on Friday to discuss major plans for expanding the state’s railway network.
During the meeting, key projects were highlighted. These include a new 250-kilometer railway line connecting Gopalpur to Rayagada and plans to double the Nuapada-Gunupur-Therubali route. The projects are designed to boost economic development, especially in southern Odisha.
CM Majhi took the opportunity to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister Vaishnaw for their ongoing support. A major focus of the discussion was the planned construction of railway lines linking Joda with Badabil and Badabil with Barasuan. This new corridor is expected to spur industrial growth, generate jobs, and accelerate development in the region.
Vaishnaw also underlined the central government’s commitment to Odisha, noting that current projects in the state amount to around Rs 73,000 crore. He mentioned that since 2014, Odisha has added over 2,000 kilometers of new rail lines—a figure that even exceeds the entire rail network of Malaysia. Efforts to improve connectivity in remote and developing areas are also underway, with eight new rail lines approved during the current government term, worth about Rs 20,000 crore.
Additionally, 59 railway stations across Odisha are being upgraded under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, including 16 stations in key aspirational districts. The minister revealed that the Rayagada Division is being set up and that six Vande Bharat trains are already in operation. He assured that the central government will continue to invest in and expand the state’s railway infrastructure in the years to come.
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