Rail Budget 2025: A new era for Rly infrastructure, modernization, and connectivity in Odisha
Bhubaneswar, Feb 3 (FN Bureau) The Rail Budget 2025 marks a new era for Odisha’s railway infrastructure, ushering in unprecedented growth, modernization, and connectivity, Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Monday. He stated that ongoing projects and future investments will strengthen Odisha’s position as a key player in India’s railway network while significantly contributing to regional economic growth. Addressing a press conference on Monday, Vaishnaw unveiled key highlights of the 2025 Rail Budget for Odisha via video conferencing from New Delhi. He announced a record budgetary allocation of Rs.10,599 crore for railway development in Odisha, a 12.5-fold increase from the Rs.838 crore allocated during the 2009-2014 period.
He further highlighted that Odisha has received over Rs.10,000 crore annually for railway development over the past three years, contributing to a total investment of Rs.78,000 crore in the state’s railway sector. Additionally, projects worth Rs.20,000 crore have been sanctioned during the current government’s tenure. Deliberating Key Highlights of the Rail Budget 2025 for Odisha,Vaishnaw stated that 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. Over 2,046 km of new tracks have been constructed since 2014, surpassing the entire rail network of Malaysia in scale. Odisha, he said has achieved 100 percent electrification, with 1,516 km of electrified track.
Over 48 new track projects are currently underway, covering a total of 4,784 km with an investment of Rs.73,723 crore, Vaishnaw said adding that Rs.2,379 crore has been allocated for the development of 59 railway stations, including key hubs like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Puri, Sambalpur, and Rourkela. The Kavach safety system has been sanctioned for 1,898 km of railway tracks, with ongoing work and tendering for 645 km and a total of 1,000 locomotives will be integrated with Kavach to enhance railway safety. He said since 2014, 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. The Railway minister said six Vande Bharat trains now operate across Odisha, connecting 17 districts with 25 unique stoppages, offering modern, high-speed travel.
A new Amrit Bharat Express running between Malda Town and Bengaluru will enhance connectivity across five states, he stated. 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 in progress. 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 role of the “Double Engine Government” model in driving this massive development.