He said this while flagging off a new train Bhadrak-Nayagarh Town-Bhadrak MEMU in Cuttack.
“From 2009 to 2014, Railways had managed to complete construction of around 53km of rail line work per year. But after 2014, the work has been speeded up. In the 2022-23 financial year, we have created a record by completing a 450km rail line in Odisha. This type of work has not been done during the last 75 years. This shows the [Narendra] Modi-led BJP government’s commitment to Odisha,” he added.
03:06
Watch: Railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw interacts with passengers and staff of Delhi-Ajmer Shatabdi Express
He said the Centre has chosen 57 railway stations from Odisha for redevelopment.
“Cuttack station will be redeveloped with an estimated cost of Rs 303 crore. It will be a world class station. People will love it,” he added.
00:48
Watch: When union IT minister Ashwini Vaishnaw makes digital payment for tea en route Gangtok to Lachung at latitude 27.48 N
Vaishnaw, who is also the minister of communications, said the government has kept its word by providing 5G service to Odisha in the first phase.
“Some people had created a rumour that Odisha may not get the 5G service in the first phase, but we have launched the service much before the scheduled deadline March 31. So far 12 districts have been provided with 5G service,” he added.
He said the Centre has sanctioned Rs 5,600 crore for installation of mobile towers in 7,000 villages across Odisha. People can get 4G and 5G services through these telecom towers, he added.
Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan said many new facilities and projects have been added in Odisha’s railway sector.
“After getting a request from Dhamnagar MLA Suryabanshi Suraj, Vaishnaw had promised to run a train connecting Bhadrak with Bhubaneswar. He kept his word within 90 days,” he added.
The two Union ministers flagged off the MEMU train at Cuttack station.
It will run between Bhadrak and Nayagarh Town from Friday onwards.
