₹80,000 Crore Railway Projects Underway in Odisha, Says Union Minister V Somanna – News12 Odisha

Bhubaneswar : Union Minister of State for Railways V Somanna on Saturday announced that railway infrastructure projects worth over ₹80,000 crore are currently in progress across Odisha, marking a transformative phase in the state’s connectivity and transportation development.

During his visit, the minister inspected the ongoing redevelopment of Bhubaneswar railway station, which is being modernized under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Accompanied by East Coast Railway General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal, he noted that the project is progressing rapidly and will significantly enhance passenger experience.

Somanna revealed that 59 railway stations in Odisha are being redeveloped at a total cost of ₹2,379 crore. The upgrades will include improved access roads, modern waiting halls, clean toilets, lifts, escalators, digital passenger information systems, executive lounges, kiosks for local products, and improved facilities for persons with disabilities. Spaces for commercial development are also being integrated into the new designs.

Highlighting the Union Budget for 2025–26, the minister said that ₹10,599 crore has been allocated to Odisha—a 12.5-fold increase from the ₹838 crore allocated during 2009–2014. In the past year alone, over ₹25,000 crore has been sanctioned for eight new railway lines, multitracking, and flyover works in the state.

Somanna emphasized that the scale of investment and pace of implementation reflect the central government’s strong commitment to building world-class railway infrastructure and supporting Odisha’s economic and regional development.