Prime Minister Narendra Modi has greenlit a significant railway project that will connect the revered city of Puri with Konark in the state of Bhubaneshwar, Odisha. In a press conference held on Tuesday, Union Railways Minister, Ashwini Vaishnaw, announced that the long-awaited Puri-Konark railway line project has received approval from PM Modi, addressing a persistent demand of the state. Vaishnaw highlighted that the land acquisition process for the project will kickstart soon and emphasised the role of the new line in promoting spiritual, heritage, and coastal tourism in the region. He enthusiastically stated, Our long-held dream of connecting Puri with Konark through the railway line is going to be materialised soon. The Union Minister disclosed that Rs 4.92 billion has been allocated for constructing this 32-km-long railway line, aiming to link the iconic Puri Jagannath temple with the Sun Temple of Konark. Vaishnaw revealed plans to operate Vistadome trains on this line, equipped with glass roofs and panoramic windows to offer passengers breathtaking views of the scenic surroundings. Additionally, efforts will be made to showcase the rich Shri Jagannath culture using Augmented and Virtual Reality technology onboard. Vaishnaw further outlined collaborative efforts with sevayats (priests worshipping Lord Jagannath), the Jagannath Temple administration, and plans to establish tourist hubs along the railway line. He assured that funds are available, and work on the project will commence promptly once the necessary land, spanning 217 acres, is acquired. He sought cooperation from the state government in this regard. The Railway Minister also highlighted the infrastructural developments in Odisha, citing the construction of 409 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) over the past decade, with an additional 220 under construction. He concluded the session by unveiling five commemorative postage stamps celebrating Odisha's legendary poets and western Odisha's cultural heritage through a virtual ceremony from Bhubaneswar.