Puri: Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti, V. Somanna, visited Puri today to inspect the ongoing redevelopment of Puri Railway Station, which is being transformed under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme into a world-class travel hub.
During his visit, Somanna underlined the Government of India’s commitment to modernizing railway infrastructure, noting that Odisha has received an unprecedented ₹10,599 crore allocation in the 2025 railway budget—representing a 12.5-fold increase compared to the 2009–14 period. He shared that 59 stations across the state are currently being upgraded at a combined cost of ₹2,379 crore, while railway projects worth over ₹80,000 crore are in various stages of execution.
Highlighting the transformative developments in Odisha’s rail sector over the past decade, the Minister pointed to significant improvements in new line construction, track doubling, and passenger amenities. He emphasized that these achievements far outpace the progress made in earlier years and credited the momentum to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for rail-led national development.
“The Vande Bharat Express and other modern trains have redefined travel standards and improved regional connectivity,” Somanna said, noting their growing presence in Odisha’s railway network.
At Puri, the station redevelopment project is designed to enhance the experience for pilgrims, tourists, and local passengers. The upgraded station will feature modern waiting halls, executive lounges, lifts and escalators, eco-friendly design elements, and enhanced accessibility. It will also house kiosks under the ‘One Station One Product’ initiative, aimed at promoting local handicrafts and products.
Accompanying the Minister were senior railway officials, including East Coast Railway’s Additional General Manager B S Rajkumar, Divisional Railway Manager of Khurda Road Division H S Bajwa, and Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) A G Srinivas.
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