PM launches railway projects worth Rs 41,000 cr; 21 Amrit Bharat stations for Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today laid the foundation stones and inaugurated and dedicated to the nation around 2000 railway infrastructure projects worth more than Rs 41,000 crores via video conferencing.

In Odisha, foundation stones were laid for 21 Amrit Bharat railway stations with an estimated expenditure of Rs 900 crores.

The stations are Bimlagarh, Jaroli, Rairangpur, Panposh, Baleswar, Betnoti, Sambalpur City, Jharsuguda Road, Titlagarh, Kesinga, Rayagada, Paralakhemundi, Koraput, Jeypore, Talcher, Raghunathpur, Paradeep, Kendujhargarh, Bhadrak, Belpahar, and Brajarajnagar.

This apart, foundation stones were laid/ inauguration was done for 52 Road Over Bridges and Road Under Bridges. The cumulative project cost for these stands at Rs 1420 crore.

The Amrit Bharat stations redevelopment project promises improved station accessibility, air concourse, wider Foot Over Bridge (FOB), waiting areas, toilet facilities, lift and escalator installations, and enhanced cleanliness. Passengers can also look forward to amenities such as free Wi-Fi, local product kiosks, executive lounges, and spaces for business meetings.

Similarly, the Road Over Bridges and Road Under Bridges projects aim to bring visible benefits to the public, removing traffic barriers, enhancing safety, and improving overall transportation efficiency. The construction of railway over bridges and under bridges is expected to boost convenience, comfort, and mobility for road users by reducing congestion, pollution, and travel time.