New Delhi: The Central allocation for development railway sector in Odisha has been substantially increased after BJP formed Government.
The Average Annual Budget allocation has been increased by 392 per cent during 2014-19 in comparison to the average annual allocation made during the period 2009-14.
This was informed by Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw to Rajya Sabha on Friday.
In a written reply, the Union Minister said, “Since 2014, there has been substantial increase in fund allocation and commensurate commissioning of projects.”
Average annual budget allocation for infrastructure projects and safety works, falling fully/ partly in the State of Odisha, during 2014-19 has been enhanced to Rs 4,126 crore per year from Rs 838 crore per year during 2009-14. The allocation has been enhanced by 392 per cent than the average annual budget allocation during 2009-14, he said.
Giving details of fund allocated during past few years to Odisha, Vaishnaw said the Centre has provided Rs 4,568 crore in the financial year 2019-20, which is 445 per cent more than the average annual budget allocation of 2009-14.
Further, the Central funding was increased to Rs 5,296 crore in the financial year 2020-21, which is again 532 per cent more than the average annual budget allocation of 2009-14, he informed.
For the financial year 2021-22, highest ever budget outlay of Rs 6,371 crore (Original Budget Outlay (BE) Rs 5,921 crore and additional allotment Rs 450 Crore) has been provided for these projects, which is 660 per cent more than the average annual budget outlay of 2009-14 (Rs 838 crore per year).
On physical development of railways in Odisha, the Union Minister said 1031 km sections (251 km of new line and 780 km of doubling) falling fully/partly in the State of Odisha have been commissioned during 2014-21, at an average rate 147.29 km per year, which is 176 per cent more than commissioning during 2009-14 (53.4 km/year).
As on April 1, 2021, 37 projects (11 new lines, 1 gauge conversion and 25 doubling) of total length 4,643 km costing Rs 55,219 crore falling fully/partly in Odisha are under different stages of planning/approval/execution, out of which, 928 km length has been commissioned and an expenditure of Rs 16,903 crore has been incurred up to March, 2021, he added.
