Bhubaneswar: With more funds pumped into East Coast Railways for passenger amenities during the last four years, major upgradation of nine stations in the State will be taken up after a detailed study.
Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack Railways stations are being redeveloped.
The Ministry of Railway has undertaken Techno-Economic Studies (TES) of Bhadrak, Brahmapur, Jajpur Keonjhar Road, Khurda Road, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Balasore, Jharsuguda and Rourkela Railway stations in the State.
The TES is being taken up for Major Upgradation of these Railway Stations.
Under the scheme of ‘Major Upgradation of Stations’ on Indian Railways, the redevelopment of stations is being taken up in a phased manner.
So far, Puri, Bhubaneswar and Cuttack Railway Stations in the State have been taken up for redevelopment under this scheme while the Ministry of Railways is undertaking techno-economic feasibility studies for the redevelopment of 9 stations.
Based on the outcome of these feasibility studies, stations are planned to be taken up for redevelopment in phases, especially the stations located in major cities and important tourist destinations.
Modernization/Upgradation of Railway Station is a continuous and ongoing exercise and this eastern state is having its lion share of Railway Station Upgradation, said sources.
more funds are being allocated to East Coast Railways for development of passenger amenities, said sources.
While in 2019-20 Rs.97.64 Crore was allocated, it went up to Rs.103.16 Crore in 2020-21. During 2022-23, funding on this count has gone up to Rs.109.53 Crore, official sources said.
Since 2014, there has been substantial increase in fund allocation for Infrastructure projects & safety works in Odisha, said sources.
Average Annual Budget allocation for Infrastructure projects & safety works, falling fully/partly in 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, which is 392pc more than the average annual budget allocation during 2009-14 period.
These allocations have been increased to Rs.4,568 crore in Financial Year 2019-20 (445pc) more than the average annual budget allocation of 2009-14, Rs.5,296 crore in Financial Year 2020-21 (532pc) more than the Average Annual Budget allocation of 2009-14) and Rs.6,471 crore for Financial Year 2021-22 (672pc) more than the Average Annual Budget allocation of 2009-14.
For Financial Year 2022-23, highest ever Budget outlay of Rs.9,734 crore has been provided for these projects, which is 1062% more than the Average Annual Budget outlay of 2009-14 (Rs.838 crore per year).
