Centre allocates ₹10,599 crore for Odisha's railway infrastructure in 2025-26 Budget

Bhubaneswar, Feb 3: In a significant boost to railway infrastructure in Odisha, the Centre has allocated ₹10,599 crore for the railway sector in the Union Budget for the 2025-26 financial year.

This announcement was made by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Monday afternoon, highlighting the government's commitment to enhancing rail connectivity in the state.

During the announcement, the Minister noted that railway projects worth over ₹78,000 crore are currently being implemented in Odisha, reflecting a robust investment in the region. He emphasized the achievements of the BJP government at the Centre, stating that over 2,000 km of new rail tracks have been laid in the last decade, a figure that reportedly exceeds the total railway network in Malaysia.

Currently, six Vande Bharat trains are operational in Odisha, with expectations of more to come in the future. Vaishnaw also mentioned that Kavach technology, aimed at improving safety, has been implemented across 1,898 km of track in the state. This allocation marks an increase from the previous year, where ₹10,586 crore was allocated for railways in Odisha for the 2024-25 Budget.