Bhubaneswar: While highlighting railway infrastructure and connectivity initiatives being undertaken across Odisha, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today projects worth nearly ₹90,000 crore are under execution in the State.

The key projects include the Junagarh–Nabarangpur, Nabarangpur–Jeypore, Jeypore–Malkangiri, Bargarh–Nuapada, Gunupur–Therubali, Khurda Road–Balangir and Bimlagarh–Talcher rail line projects.

Vaishnaw also announced the introduction of the new 18407/18408 Puri–Koraput–Puri Tri-Weekly Express, which will provide direct rail connectivity between Puri and large parts of western and southern Odisha.

The train will operate via Khurda Road, Bhubaneswar, Angul, Sambalpur, Bargarh Road, Balangir, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Muniguda, Rayagada, Tikiri, Laxmipur Road, Kakiriguma and Damanjodi, significantly benefiting passengers from coastal, western and southern Odisha. 

The Railway Minister further stated the service will improve connectivity for pilgrimage, tourism, education, healthcare, employment and business travel, particularly for the KBK region and tribal-dominated districts.

The long-pending Khurda Road–Balangir Rail Line project is progressing rapidly and targeted for completion by 2027.

He also highlighted the ongoing four lining works on the Howrah–Chennai main corridor through Odisha. After completion of the new lines and major capacity enhancement works, Odisha will have the capability to run nearly 500 additional trains in the future, he added.

Vaishnaw further informed 59 railway stations across Odisha are being redeveloped under the Amrit Station Scheme, including Bhubaneswar, Puri, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Talcher and Baripada stations. A fresh detailed project report is also being prepared for the proposed Puri–Konark rail connectivity project.