Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to lay the foundation stone, inaugurate and dedicate to the nation railway projects worth more than Rs 2,750 crores during his visit to Odisha on Friday.
PM Modi’s visit is going to be historic on the occasion of completion of 11 years of service, and good governance and first anniversary of Mohan Majhi government in Odisha. This event is billed as a big step towards realising the resolve of ‘Viksit Bharat – Viksit Odisha’
During his visit, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone of the 3rd and 4th rail lines between Sarla-Sason. This project will reduce the traffic load on the busy Jharsuguda-Sambalpur rail section and will support industrial growth, a railway statement said on Thursday.
Along with this, he will inaugurate the 73 km long new Railway line between Sonepur-Purunakatak. This line is a part of the 301 km long Khurda Road-Balangir railway line. With its construction, the Boudh district headquarters is going to be connected to the railway network for the first time. This area will now be recorded on the rail map of India, which is going to fulfil the decades old dream of the local people. Also, devotees will have access to connecting transportation to visit the Bhairavi temple at Purunakatak. There will be direct Rail connectivity for the first time through the new railway line between Sonepur and Purunakatak, which will further strengthen the social and economic connectivity of this region.
The Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the 4th rail line between Jharsuguda-Jamga, the freight train maintenance facility at Sarla, subway in Bamra-Dharuadihi section, Link C-Dumetra line and Road Over Bridge at Jaleswar. Construction of the 4th rail line between Jharsuguda and Jamga will boost economic growth and support industrial development. The freight train maintenance facility established at Sarla will improve logistics efficiency and ensure freight transport smoother and more reliable. The doubling of the Link C – Dumetra section will enhance operational efficiency. The road over bridge and subway will ensure uninterrupted movement of traffic in the area, which will provide more convenience and safety to the users.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister will launch new rail services for the people of Odisha. With the new train services, the areas of Boudh district will get affordable and convenient rail service from the capital, Bhubaneswar.
The new trains proposed to be inaugurated by the PM are 18313/18314 Boudh-Bhubaneswar New-Boudh Weekly Express and 18311/18312 Sambalpur-Boudh-Sambalpur Weekly Express. 18313/18314 Boudh-Bhubaneswar New-Boudh Weekly Express will leave from Boudh at 0700hrs on every Monday and will arrive at Bhubaneswar New at 1815hrs via Balangir-Sambalpur-Angul-Naraj. In return direction, this train will leave from Bhubaneswar New at 2300hrs on Mondays and will reach at Boudh at 1030hrs on Tuesdays. Similarly, 18311/18312 Sambalpur-Boudh-Sambalpur Weekly Express from Sambalpur will leave at 1925hrs on Sundays and will arrive at Boudh at 2355hrs on the same day. In the return, this train from Boudh will leave at 1215hrs on Tuesdays and will reach at Sambalpur at 1730hrs on the same day.
Apart from this, Bhubaneswar-Sonepur-Bhubaneswar Inter City Express and two pairs of Balangir-Sonepur Shuttle Passenger Trains will now originate from Purunakatak.
Rail development in Odisha has gained unprecedented speed in the last 11 years. The rail network in the state has been 100% electrified and 59 stations in the state are being developed as Amrit stations with modern facilities. At the same time, 17 districts of the state are getting the benefit of modern rail travel through 6 Vande Bharat trains.
