Bhubaneswar, July 15 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday described the Union Cabinet’s approval of the Paradip–Haridaspur railway line doubling project as a significant milestone in strengthening the state’s railway infrastructure and expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

Taking to his X handle, CM Majhi said, “The Union Cabinet’s approval of the Paradeep–Haridaspur railway line doubling project marks another significant milestone in strengthening Odisha’s railway infrastructure, enhancing logistics efficiency, and accelerating the state’s industrial and economic growth.”

He said the project will improve rail connectivity to Paradip Port, enhance freight movement, ease congestion, and facilitate more efficient transportation of both passengers and goods.

CM Majhi added that it will further strengthen Odisha’s position as a key logistics and industrial hub under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, while creating new opportunities for growth and employment.

“On behalf of the people of Odisha, I express my heartfelt gratitude to Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji and Hon’ble Union Minister for Railways Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw Ji for their continued support and commitment to strengthening Odisha’s railway infrastructure and accelerating the state’s development,” said Majhi.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Wednesday approved two railway projects of the Ministry of Railways—the doubling of the Paradip–Haridaspur rail line and the fourth rail line between Rajkharsawan and Dangoaposi—at an estimated total cost of around Rs 3,907 crore.

The officials asserted that the two projects covering four districts across Odisha and Jharkhand will increase the existing network of Indian Railways by about 145 Kms. The proposed multi-tracking project will enhance connectivity to approx. 1,526 villages, which have a population of about 14 lakhs. The proposed capacity enhancement will improve rail connectivity to several prominent tourist destinations across the country, including Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex, Shree Baladevjew Temple, Meghahatuburu Hills, etc.

The proposed projects are essential routes for the transportation of commodities such as coal, iron ore, dolomite, limestone, gypsum, etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 44 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum).

It is also added that Railways, being environment friendly and energy-efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimising logistics cost of the country, reduce oil imports (6 crore litres) and lower CO2 emissions (29 crore kg), which is equivalent to the plantation of 1 crore trees.

–IANS

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