The Rail Budget 2025 marks the beginning of a new era for Odisha’s railway infrastructure, bringing with it unprecedented growth, modernization, and connectivity, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Monday.
During a press conference held via video conferencing from New Delhi, Vaishnaw shared key highlights of the 2025 Rail Budget for Odisha. He emphasized that the ongoing and future projects would strengthen Odisha’s position as a key player in India’s railway network, contributing significantly to regional economic growth.
Record Investment in Odisha’s Railway Sector
Vaishnaw revealed a record budgetary allocation of Rs. 10,599 crore for railway development in Odisha. This represents a 12.5-fold increase from the Rs. 838 crore allocated during the 2009-2014 period.
Additionally, he highlighted that Odisha has received over Rs. 10,000 crore annually for railway development over the past three years, leading to a total investment of Rs. 78,000 crore in the state’s railway sector. Furthermore, projects worth Rs. 20,000 crore have been sanctioned during the current government’s tenure.
Key Infrastructure Developments
- Electrification Progress: Odisha’s railway electrification has increased 4.5 times, with 138 km of track electrified between 2014-2025, compared to just 29 km in the previous period. Odisha has now achieved 100% electrification with 1,516 km of electrified track.
- New Tracks Construction: Over 2,046 km of new tracks have been constructed since 2014, surpassing the total rail network of Malaysia in scale.
- Track Projects & Investments: More than 48 new track projects are currently underway, covering a total of 4,784 km with an investment of Rs. 73,723 crore.
- Station Development: Rs. 2,379 crore has been allocated for the development of 59 railway stations, including major hubs like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Sambalpur, and Rourkela.
- Safety Enhancements: The Kavach safety system has been sanctioned for 1,898 km of railway tracks, with ongoing work and tendering for 645 km. Additionally, 1,000 locomotives will be integrated with Kavach to further enhance railway safety.
Passenger Comfort and Connectivity
- Passenger Convenience: Since 2014, a total of 522 rail flyovers and under-bridges have been constructed. 43 lifts, 18 escalators, and Wi-Fi have been installed at 234 stations to improve passenger convenience.
- Vande Bharat Trains: Six Vande Bharat trains now operate across Odisha, connecting 17 districts with 25 unique stoppages, offering modern, high-speed travel.
- New Amrit Bharat Express: A new Amrit Bharat Express running between Malda Town and Bengaluru will enhance connectivity across five states.
Progress on Major Railway Projects
- Kolkata to Chennai Multi-Tracking Project: The multi-tracking project from Kolkata to Chennai is progressing rapidly, with significant work completed between Kolkata and Bhadrak. Third-line work is underway, and planning for a fourth line is also in progress.
Acknowledgments and Future Vision
Vaishnaw expressed his gratitude to the Prime Minister, the Finance Minister, and Odisha’s Chief Minister for their unwavering support in transforming Odisha’s railway infrastructure. He emphasized the vital role of the “Double Engine Government” model in driving this massive development, underscoring the collaborative efforts that have led to these unprecedented strides in railway growth for the state.
