Bhubaneswar: Odisha has received a record ₹10,928 crore allocation for railway infrastructure in the Union Budget 2026-27, Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced, marking a significant investment in the state’s transport network and connectivity.
The fresh allocation comes as part of a larger ₹2.78 lakh crore outlay for Indian Railways announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament. Projects worth around ₹90,659 crore are currently underway in Odisha, spanning new railway lines, station upgrades, electrification and safety enhancements, taking the cumulative rail infrastructure investment in the state past the ₹1 lakh crore mark.
A key highlight of the budget is the proposed East–West Dedicated Freight Corridor, which will pass through Odisha, boosting freight movement and industrial connectivity, officials said. To enhance safety and protect wildlife along tracks, AI-based thermal cameras are planned for installation to prevent train-elephant collisions.
Under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, 59 stations in Odisha have been earmarked for redevelopment, with significant work already completed at several locations including Cuttack, Baripada and Parlakhemundi. Six pairs of Vande Bharat Express and Amrit Bharat Express trains are now operational in the state, improving passenger mobility across key routes.
The latest railway budget figures reinforce Odisha’s strategic importance in national infrastructure planning, aligning with broader plans under Union Budget 2026 for dedicated freight corridors, high-speed rail corridors and waterways to spur economic activity and logistical efficiency.
