35 rail projects in Odisha at different stages of execution

In the state, 35 railway projects totaling 4,609 km and costing approximately $557.59 billion are in various stages of completion. In response to questions from Jajpur MP Sarmistha Sethi and Jagatsinghpur MP Rajashree Mallick, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed the Lok Sabha that 1,039 km of track had been commissioned, with a cost of $ 217.29 billion incurred up to March of this year. The projects are located entirely or partially in Odisha. The projects approved up until April included 11 new lines, one gauge conversion, and 23 line doublings. He said the completion of any railway project is dependent on factors such as quick land acquisition by the state government, forest clearance, and the state's contribution to cost-sharing projects. In addition, relocation of violating utilities, legal approvals from various agencies, local geological and topographical circumstances, the state of law and order in the vicinity of projects, and environmental factors all play significant roles. “Some of the railway projects have been delayed due to land acquisition and other clearances. Though the confirmed time frame for completion of projects cannot be ascertained at this stage, Indian Railways is making all efforts for expeditious completion of projects,” Vaishnaw told Parliament. During 2014-19, the average annual budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works increased by 392 percent to $ 41.26 billion per year, up from $ 8.38 billion per year in 2009-14. The Minister stated that the highest ever budget outlay of $ 97.34 billion was provided for these projects in 2022-23, which is 1,062 percent more than the average annual budget outlay of 2009-14. See also: UP to have metros in 8 to 10 cities in the near future: Kumar KeshavRITES submits DPR for Namma Metro’s phase 3 corridors to BMRCL