Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving four railway multi-tracking projects, three of which will substantially benefit Odisha.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the projects with a total outlay of Rs 9,450 crore.
In a letter to Vaishnaw, Majhi said that the approval of the projects marked a transformative step for Odisha’s rail infrastructure.
He said the projects would decongest critical freight and passenger corridors and improve connectivity across the state’s coastal and industrial districts.
Majhi further said the enhanced railway capacity would strengthen the movement of coal, iron ore, cement, steel and food grains, which are vital to Odisha’s economy.
He also highlighted the tourism potential of improved rail connectivity.
The CM added that the projects would enhance access to destinations such as Bhitarkanika National Park, Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary and Chandipur Beach.
Connectivity would also improve to religious and heritage destinations, including Gada Kujanga Jagannath Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple, Sarala Temple and the Buddhist heritage site of Lalitgiri.
Majhi said the improved connectivity would give a fresh impetus to tourism, pilgrimage and local livelihoods across the region.
He further said enhanced connectivity to thousands of villages and lakhs of citizens reflected the Centre’s continued commitment to Odisha’s development under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
On behalf of the people and the government of Odisha, Majhi expressed his sincere gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Vaishnaw for the significant investment in Odisha’s railway infrastructure and future growth.
