Bhubaneswar, February 2: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for this “visionary step” towards a “prosperous Odisha.” Majhi highlighted key developments, including 2,200 km of new rail lines over the past 11 years, the operation of six Vande Bharat and Amrit Bharat trains, and the East-West Freight Corridor, which will enhance industrial and commercial connectivity.

Odisha has received a record Rs 10,928 crore for its railway sector in the Union Budget 2026-27, up from Rs 10,599 crore last year. This funding supports projects worth over Rs 90,659 crore, aimed at improving connectivity, industrial growth, and sustainability.

The budget also includes measures for wildlife conservation, such as AI-based thermal cameras and optical fiber cables to prevent elephant deaths on railway tracks. Railway Minister Vaishnaw confirmed the modernisation of nearly 59 stations in Odisha under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme with an investment of Rs 2,379 crore.

Key projects like the 301 km Khurda Road-Balangir line and the Talcher-Bimlagarh line for coal evacuation will continue to receive funding. Odisha’s railway development positions it as a major logistics hub in eastern India, with improved port connectivity and multimodal transport options.