Bhubaneswar: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw today conducted a comprehensive review of the ongoing projects in the region with a particular focus on the East Coast Railway (ECoR) jurisdiction. The review meeting highlighted several key areas of progress and concern, emphasizing the importance of infrastructure development.
Vaishnaw stressed the identification and resolution of problem areas in ongoing projects. For early completion of the Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line, the tunnel works will be constructed from both sides. Steps to be taken to connect NH in the route with the major tunnel of about seven kilometres long, so that the construction works will be done at the earliest. Apart from this, the construction work on the Talcher-Bimalagarh New Line will be done from both sides, i.e. from the Talcher side and the Bimalagarh side simultaneously.
Apart from this, the Railway Ministry will conduct a review meeting with the office of the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha in the near future to short out the issues and early completion of ongoing Railway projects in the State.
These apart, Special focus was given to the redevelopment of Amrit Stations. Review for ongoing construction works of Amrit Stations will be done shortly in next time, added Shri Vaishnaw.
Hon’ble Prime Minister has given Special focus to Odisha and sanctioned 10536 crores for infrastructural development in the state in the field of Railways, which is an all-time-high budgetary provision. Steps have been taken to connect all districts of Odisha to the Railway Network. In the last 10 years, 1826 Track Kilometers of Rail Line have been constructed in Odisha which is more than the total Rail Network in Srilanka, said Shri Vaishnaw.
Target has been given to ECoR for the construction of a 500 km Rail Line in the current financial year. In the last fiscal, the 450 km Rail Line was achieved by ECoR. Priority has been given to expansion of rail lines, underlining its importance for economic growth and connectivity, added Shri Vaishnaw.
The review meeting was attended by ECoR General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal, all Principal Heads of Departments of ECoR, Senior Officials from ECoR Headquarters, Divisional Railway Manager of Khurda Road Shri H S Bajwa and Branch Officers from the Khurda Road Division.
Vaishnaw’s review underscored the Ministry’s commitment to accelerating railway development in Odisha, ensuring efficient project execution and enhancing the quality of railway services. The Railway Minister’s directives aim to drive forward infrastructure growth and operational excellence in the ECoR region.
