Odisha Sees More Than Threefold Rise in New Railway Track

17 Mar 2026 CW Team

The Ministry reported a significant upgradation of railway infrastructure in Odisha with increased budgetary support, and monetary values are expressed here in million (mn) and billion (bn).

Budget allocation rose from Rs 8,380 mn per year in 2009-14 to Rs 105.99 bn in 2025-26. The upgrade programme covers safety works and infrastructure falling fully or partly within the State.

New track commissioning accelerated markedly, with 2,150 km completed during 2014–25 compared with 267 km in 2009–14, representing more than three and a half times increase and average annual commissioning rising to 195 km. As on 1 April 2025, 49 sanctioned projects totalling 4,010 km have been approved at an estimated cost of Rs 674.96 bn, of which 1,429 km have been commissioned and Rs 280.43 bn has been expended up to March 2025. The sanctioned projects include 19 new lines and 30 doubling or multitracking schemes.

The Khurda Road–Bolangir new line of 301 km carries a latest project cost of Rs 50.89 bn and expenditure of Rs 43.11 bn up to March 2025, with an outlay of Rs 19.38 bn provided for 2025-26. The Khurda Road–Daspalla 106 km section and the Purunakatak–Bolangir 120 km section have been commissioned, while works on the 75 km Daspalla–Purunakatak section are under way. That section involves seven tunnels totalling 11.96 km, of which six have been completed covering 7.7 km, and the balance one tunnel remains under progress.

Construction of the third and fourth lines between Salegaon and Budhapank totalling 85 route km is under way, with Salegaon–Rajatgarh 23 km and Dhenkanal–Meramundali 34 km commissioned and major bridges and station works completed on remaining stretches. Project sanction and completion depend on factors such as traffic projections, connectivity, land acquisition, forest clearance, statutory approvals and geological conditions, which influence schedules and costs. The information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

The Ministry reported a significant upgradation of railway infrastructure in Odisha with increased budgetary support, and monetary values are expressed here in million (mn) and billion (bn). Budget allocation rose from Rs 8,380 mn per year in 2009-14 to Rs 105.99 bn in 2025-26. The upgrade programme covers safety works and infrastructure falling fully or partly within the State. New track commissioning accelerated markedly, with 2,150 km completed during 2014–25 compared with 267 km in 2009–14, representing more than three and a half times increase and average annual commissioning rising to 195 km. As on 1 April 2025, 49 sanctioned projects totalling 4,010 km have been approved at an estimated cost of Rs 674.96 bn, of which 1,429 km have been commissioned and Rs 280.43 bn has been expended up to March 2025. The sanctioned projects include 19 new lines and 30 doubling or multitracking schemes. The Khurda Road–Bolangir new line of 301 km carries a latest project cost of Rs 50.89 bn and expenditure of Rs 43.11 bn up to March 2025, with an outlay of Rs 19.38 bn provided for 2025-26. The Khurda Road–Daspalla 106 km section and the Purunakatak–Bolangir 120 km section have been commissioned, while works on the 75 km Daspalla–Purunakatak section are under way. That section involves seven tunnels totalling 11.96 km, of which six have been completed covering 7.7 km, and the balance one tunnel remains under progress. Construction of the third and fourth lines between Salegaon and Budhapank totalling 85 route km is under way, with Salegaon–Rajatgarh 23 km and Dhenkanal–Meramundali 34 km commissioned and major bridges and station works completed on remaining stretches. Project sanction and completion depend on factors such as traffic projections, connectivity, land acquisition, forest clearance, statutory approvals and geological conditions, which influence schedules and costs. The information was provided by the Union Minister for Railways in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

Infrastructure Transport

15 May 2026

MMRDA Removes 1.14 lakh m of Metro Barricades

In a bid to ease congestion and improve urban mobility during monsoon, MMRDA has undertaken one of the largest coordinated barricade removal and monsoon preparedness drives across its ongoing metro and infrastructure projects.With substantial progress achieved in viaduct and structural works across multiple metro corridors, barricades from completed stretches beneath metro viaducts are being systematically removed, restoring maximum possible road space before the monsoon. Wider carriageways across key arterial roads are expected to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion, support better rainwa..

Infrastructure Transport

15 May 2026

Pune Division to Remove All Diamond Crossings by Year-End

The Pune railway division has announced plans to remove all 16 diamond crossings by the end of 2026 as part of a major yard remodelling project following the derailment of a Vande Bharat Express at Pune Junction on April 27. Railway authorities said the replacements aim to improve safety and streamline train operations across the busy station. The decision followed a Central Railway finding that the accident involved a non-standard diamond crossing and highlighted the need for replacement. Regular maintenance of existing crossings will continue until the replacement work is completed. Official..

Infrastructure Urban

15 May 2026

Goa Declares 80 Million Square Metres No Development Zone

The Goa state government has declared 80 million square metres (mn) of land a no development zone, designating the area as protected from new construction. The notification reclassifies tracts across the state under a no development category for planning and regulatory purposes. The declaration signals a formal halt to new building permits within the defined zone. Authorities indicated that maps will be issued to show broad boundaries while detailed surveys will refine precise limits. The move transfers responsibility for enforcement to local planning authorities and relevant departments, whic..