Ashwini Vaishnaw Announces Inclusion of Phulbani in Rail Project between Gopalpur and Sambalpur

New Delhi, Dec 19 (ANI): Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw speaks during the ‘Google for India’ event, at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi on Monday. (ANI Photo)

Union Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on Saturday that the proposed new railway line connecting Gopalpur with Sambalpur will pass through Phulbani town, and Odisha will be part of the first phase rollout of Vande Metro. During the dedication of the Nuagaon Road-Dasapalla railway section and Dasapalla station in Nayagarh district, Vaishnaw stated that he returned the detailed project report (DPR) to Odisha Rail Infrastructure Development Limited (ORIDL) for reconsideration of locals’ demand to include Phulbani town in the project.

ORIDL, a joint venture of the Odisha government and the Ministry of Railways, had prepared the final location survey and DPR for the new rail project. Although Phulbani was initially included in the DPR, it was omitted in the revised version, diverting the route from Chakapada. Vaishnaw instructed the company to include Phulbani in the DPR and explore the feasibility of connecting Kantilo and Khandapada with the Khurda-Balangir rail line project.

The Nuagaon Road-Dasapalla line is a part of the Khurda-Balangir railway project, which Vaishnaw described as historic, emphasizing its expedited progress under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership. Of the 301-km new rail line project, 153 km, including a 106-km stretch from Khurda Road to Dasapalla and a 47-km section from Balangir to Sonepur, has already been completed. The Khurda-Balangir line is anticipated to connect coastal Odisha with the western region, fostering economic growth.

Vaishnaw highlighted the non-political nature of development, pointing out the substantial increase in railway construction and fund allocation during the BJP-led NDA government. He also inspected the redevelopment work of Bhubaneswar railway station, emphasizing its transformation into a world-class facility. Vaishnaw flagged off the extension of various train services and announced the introduction of Vande Metro train services in Odisha in the near future.

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