Bhubaneswar, Feb 3 (NationPress) The Union government has dedicated Rs 10,928 crore towards enhancing railway infrastructure in Odisha as part of the Union Budget for the fiscal year 2026-27, a proposal unveiled in Parliament last week by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

During a media briefing, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Finance Minister Sitharaman have earmarked a historic Rs 10,928 crore in the Union Budget 2026-27.

He further revealed that multiple railway projects totaling Rs 90,659 crore are currently being executed throughout Odisha.

“When the double-engine government assumed office in 2024, we pledged that projects exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore would be realized in Odisha over the subsequent five years. We've already achieved Rs 90,659 crore and need an additional Rs 10,000 crore to meet our objective. We are devoted to keeping our commitment,” Minister Vaishnaw asserted.

He also emphasized that Odisha is a significant focus area for Prime Minister Modi.

Vaishnaw elaborated that the proposed East–West Freight Corridor, beginning in Dankuni, West Bengal, will traverse through Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra, ultimately connecting to Surat Port in Gujarat and Vadhavan Port in Maharashtra.

He asserted that this initiative will significantly bolster industrial growth in Odisha.

Minister Vaishnaw noted that six pairs of both Vande Bharat Express and Amrit Bharat Express train services are operational in Odisha.

“In the past 11 years, about 2,200 km of new railway tracks have been laid in Odisha, which surpasses the total railway network of Malaysia over the same period. I extend my gratitude to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi for his collaboration. The double-engine government in Odisha has operated with a clear focus,” he commented.

When asked about elephant fatalities in train accidents, Minister Vaishnaw mentioned that efforts are underway to implement optical fiber and advanced technology across all elephant corridor zones in the state.

He also revealed that the Railways will introduce AI-based thermal cameras within the next six months to prevent elephant casualties on railway tracks.

Additionally, he pointed out that 200 locations nationwide, including Odisha, have been identified for constructing new underpasses to facilitate elephants' passage without coming onto the railway tracks.

He assured that Odisha is set to receive high-speed rail corridors in forthcoming phases.