Odisha sanctions funds for Khurda-Bolangir BG line

The state government has sanctioned Rs 150 crore for the Khurda Road-Bolangir line project for the early execution of the project. The Indian Railway commissioned the 10.5 km line between Bichhupali and Jhartarbha of Khurda Road-Bolangir line on 10 November 2022. Read more…

Railways to upgrade 24 stations in Odisha

The Railways is likely to undertake the upgradation of 24 stations in Odisha. The proposed project will be implemented in the East Coast Railways (ECoR) part of the state, and involves foot-over-bridges, waiting halls, parking lots and other amenities for passengers…Read more…

Railway Budget: 2015-16 Highlights

Highlights of Railway budget 2015-16

* Regulatory mechanism to be set up for deciding on tariff and disputes: Project worth Rs 2,500 crore using BOT annuity route to be launched
* Joint ventures with states to develop railway projects
* Systems audit proposed for all railway departments
* Feasibility report of high speed train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad expected by mid-2015
* Preparing 5-year corporate safety plan to be ready in 3 months to identify annual quantifiable targets
* Rs 6,750 crore allocated for eliminating 3438 level crossings; 970 road-underbridge and road-overbridge to be constructed
* More general class coaches to be added in identified trains; more AC EMU services for Mumbai suburban section.
* More general class coaches to be added in identified trains; more AC EMU services for Mumbai suburban section.
* Open wi-fi to be available at 400 railway stations; proposal to revamp the station re-development scheme
* Projects worth Rs 96,182 crore to expand capacity of 9,420 km rail lines.
* Tickets can now be booked 120 days ahead of travel date, instead of 60 days now, to tackle tout menace, says Railway Minister.
* Four dedicated freight corridors to be completed this year; 6608 kms of track to be electrified
* Wagon-making scheme to be reviewed to make it easier for private investment; Speed on nine corridors to be increased from 110-130 to 160-200 kms per hour
* Investment of Rs 8.50 lakh crore envisaged over the next five years
* Priority to improve capacity on high density network in next five years
* Railways to go through transformation in five years; to increase track capacity by 10 per cent to 1.38 lakh km.
* Railways to partner with private sector, PSUs and multilateral funding institutions
* Investment of Rs 8.50 lakh crore envisaged over the next five years
* People of India will own railways always; Railways will continue to be precious national asset
* Investment of Rs 8.50 lakh crore envisaged over the next five years
Railway helpline number 138 will become operational 24×7
Disposable linen on payment to be available at all stations.
Toll free number 182 created for security related complaints
Rail-cum-road ticket to be extended to many stations; more trains to be added under scheme for ordering food while booking tickets
We are introducing ‘Operation 5-minute’ to ensure ticketless passenger get regular ticket within five minute of entering station
SMS alert service to be introduced on train arrival/ departure; CCTVs to be introduced in select trains and suburban trains for women safety.

Railway wagon factory in Odisha delayed

Four years after the Centre announced setting up of a Railway wagon factory at Sitalapalli in Odisha’s Ganjam district, the groundwork is yet to begin.

Even though Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged the Railway Ministry to expedite the work several times, there has been no progress. The project was to be implemented on public private partnership mode and the ministry had sought 100 acre from the state.

The district administration has earmarked 101 acre in the area. The selection of the site for the project has already been conveyed to the ministry.

Establishment of the wagon factory assumes significance as Tata Steel is setting up an industrial park near the project site, while all-weather Gopalpur Port is under construction nearby.

Planning Commission nod for Gopalpur-Rayagada rail link

The Planning Commission has given in-principle approval to the construction of a new railway line in Orissa.

This railway line will be connecting the port town of Gopalpur in Ganjam district to Rayagada, in south Orissa. The 258-km rail line is estimated to cost Rs 1,392.32 crore. The Ministry of Railways has conducted the feasibility survey of the proposed line at a cost of Rs 4 crore in 2009. The ministry had submitted the report to the Planning Commission for approval three years ago.