Bhubaneswar: In the Union Interim Budget 2024-25, Odisha secured a significant fund allocation of Rs 10,536 Crore under the proposed financial plans of ‘Viksit Bharat’ to undertake multiple railway projects in the state.
Notably, the state is witnessing the ongoing progress of railway works spanning approximately 473 kilometers each day. The augmented funds are anticipated to accelerate the pace of development projects, including the introduction of Bande Bharat metro trains in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and Puri, with subsequent extensions to other cities.
The Railway Ministry, allocated a budget of Rs 2.52 Lakh Crore, has made provisions for substantial capex compared to the Rs 2.4 Lakh Crore allocation in the FY 2023-24. Within the total budget, Rs 52 Thousand Crore has been earmarked for new railway projects nationwide.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled plans for three special corridors in the railway sector, focusing on Energy, Minerals, and Cement. The implementation of these economic railway corridors aims to enhance logistics efficiency and reduce costs.