Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to lay the foundation stone and inaugurate multiple railway projects worth Rs 28.71 billion in Odisha, aimed at enhancing the state’s rail infrastructure and connectivity. These initiatives will decongest key routes, boost rail capacity, and promote socio-economic development in industrial, resource-rich, and tribal regions. The projects include: 1) Lanjigarh Road-Ambadola-Doikallu Section: A 25.39 km stretch of the Vizianagaram-Titilagarh 3rd Line Project, costing Rs 4.32 billion. This will improve connectivity between western Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. 2) Laxmipur Road-Singaram-Tikiri Section: A 22.94 km section of the Koraput-Singapur Road Doubling Project, costing Rs 2.6 billion, designed to ease freight movement from resource-rich southern Odisha. 3) Dhenkanal-Sadashibapur-Hindol Road Section: A 40.62 km part of the Budhapank-Salegaon 3rd & 4th Line Project, costing Rs 5.4 billion, enhancing the industrial route. 4) Bangurkela-Nowgaon Section: A 12.5 km section of the Bondamunda-Ranchi Doubling Project, costing Rs 2.39 billion, improving connectivity between Odisha and Jharkhand. PM Modi will also lay foundation stones for future developments: - Siju-Paradeep Flyover: A 7 km flyover, costing Rs 2 billion, to ensure smooth train movements at Paradeep Port. - Paradeep-Badabandha 3rd & 4th Line: An 18.51 km expansion, costing Rs 3 billion, enhancing capacity to Paradeep Port. - MCRL Inner Corridor Doubling (Phase-1): A 10.93 km project, costing Rs 1.52 billion, to improve coal evacuation. - Jeypore-Nabarangpur New Line: A 41.9 km line, costing Rs 7.48 billion, connecting tribal regions for better access to markets and economic growth. These projects align with the government’s vision to strengthen Odisha’s rail network, supporting local economies and contributing to national development. (odishabytes)