Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi proudly declared that Odisha's "golden era of railway development" has officially begun. He made this statement while returning to Bhubaneswar from Berhampur aboard the newly launched Berhampur-Tatanagar Vande Bharat Express, which was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday.
Speaking on behalf of the people of Odisha, Majhi expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for their efforts in improving the state's railway infrastructure. He mentioned that now, nearly all districts in Odisha, except for one or two, are connected by rail. He shared his hopes that soon every district headquarters will have rail links, and eventually, all subdivisions in Odisha will be accessible by train.
Majhi’s visit to Delhi also included discussions with the Railway Minister about Odisha’s ongoing railway expansion. He was reassured by Vaishnaw that the Central government, under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, would continue to support these initiatives.
Majhi pointed out that since 2014, the Central government has made significant efforts to support Odisha’s railway development. In contrast, he noted that the previous government had not been as cooperative, especially in the area of land acquisition for railway projects. Now, with a "double-engine government" in place—referring to both the state and central governments working together—he expects faster progress in overcoming any challenges, leading to quicker railway development.
The Chief Minister emphasized that improving Odisha’s railway network will benefit the state's tourism, commerce, and other important sectors, boosting the economy.
During his train journey, Majhi enjoyed the scenic beauty of Chilika Lake and interacted with school students who were travelling on the same train.
Majhi was accompanied by key government officials, including Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuthi Bhushan Jena, Steel and Mines Minister Gokulananda Mallick, and Fisheries and Livestock Development Minister. At Balugao station, Law, Labour, and Employment Minister Prithviraj Harichandan and Member of Parliament Sambit Patra joined them, along with Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who accompanied Majhi from Khurda.
This event marks a significant moment in Odisha’s push for better railway connectivity and economic growth.