By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, November 26, 2022: Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw on Saturday claimed that the Centre has accorded priority for timely completion of all the ongoing rail projects in Odisha.

During his visit to the state, Vaishnaw on Saturday instructed the East Coast Railway officials to expedite the construction work for speedy completion and to maintain constant touch and coordination with all agencies including the state government officials.

Pointing out that prior to 2014, Odisha was getting merely Rs 830 crore budgetary allocation, the Union minister said in the current year, the state received around Rs 10,000 crore budgetary allocation, which, he claimed was much higher than the expectations.

Vaishnaw informed tender for redevelopment of 28 railway stations have been completed while the work was in progress. The state would also get Vande Bharat Express very soon apart from 5G connectivity.

The Railways is planning to run Jagannath Circuit Train before Rath Yatra which would showcase the rich culture, heritage and history of Lord Jagannath and Odisha, he added.