By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 28, 2024: The Modi government has approved two new railway projects for the state, worth a total of Rs 4,286 crore for Odisha.

The projects include the 138 km Bargarh Road-Nuapara railway line, to be implemented at a cost of Rs 2,926 crore and the 37 km long Sardega-Bhalumunda new double line with an allocation of Rs 1,360 crore.

The new projects are expected to create 72 lakh man-days, generating ample employment opportunities for local residents. CM Majhi thanked Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and highlighted the significant increase in railway budget allocation to Odisha, from an average of Rs 838 crore between 2009 and 2014 to Rs 10,586 crore in 2024-25, a 12.5-fold increase.

Besides, the state has seen a threefold increase in new railway track construction, from 53 km annually between 2009 and 2014 to 183 km annually between 2014 and 2024.

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his commitment to Odisha’s development, stating that the recent sanctioning of six important railway projects worth Rs 15,000 crore and today’s approval of two more projects demonstrates his dedication to the state’s growth.