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The Central Government has agreed to cover the entire cost of constructing 92 railway overbridges across Odisha, following a request from Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. The decision, conveyed through a letter from the Ministry of Railways, marks a shift from the earlier cost-sharing model. The bridges will be built in several districts, including Khurda, Ganjam, and Cuttack. The move aims to improve safety, ease traffic congestion, and strengthen road-rail connectivity across the state, with work expected to proceed at a faster pace.
The Central Government has approved full funding for the construction of 92 railway overbridges across Odisha, as confirmed by Chief Minister Shri Mohan Charan Majhi. The information was shared through a formal letter from the Ministry of Railways, signed by Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in response to the state government's request for complete central financial support for the project. Advertisement
Initially, the construction costs for these overbridges were to be shared equally between the Centre and the Odisha government. However, after the state sought full central assistance, the Railways Ministry decided to bear the entire expenditure. This shift is expected to streamline implementation, prevent delays arising from joint funding, and help complete the projects more efficiently.
Out of the total 92 railway overbridges planned, 35 will be located in Khurda district, 21 in Ganjam, 13 in Jajpur, and 10 in Cuttack. The remaining overbridges are planned across other districts three in Bhadrak, two each in Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Rayagada, and Angul, and one in Bargarh. These bridges are intended to address frequent traffic congestion and enhance safety at railway level crossings across the state.
The Chief Minister expressed appreciation to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for their continued focus on Odisha's development. He said the Centre's decision demonstrates its commitment to improving infrastructure, not only through rail connectivity but also across sectors such as ports, aviation, and highways.
The Ministry of Railways has stated that the decision will accelerate the pace of construction and contribute to smoother coordination between the Centre and the state. It also mentioned that the fully funded model will remove procedural delays related to cost sharing and ensure timely execution.
Odisha has long faced challenges related to congestion and safety at unmanned and semi-manned railway crossings, particularly in densely populated and industrial regions. The construction of these overbridges is expected to provide safer passage for commuters, improve logistics movement, and reduce travel time for both passenger and freight traffic.
Experts also believe that this move could serve as a model for future infrastructure collaborations between the Centre and states, particularly where public safety and mobility are directly impacted.
Source PTI
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