Railway and Communication Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Sunday said the Narendra Modi Government has been allocating more funds than expected in the Railway Budget to Odisha from 2014 onwards.
During the tenure of the UPA Government, Odisha had got Rs 800 crore in the Railway Budget. But from 2014 to 2019, the Modi Government allocated approximately Rs 4,124 every year to Odisha. This is more than four times the funds allocated by the UPA, said Vaishnaw at a Press meet here.
This year, a record amount of Rs 9,734 crore has been allocated for Odisha. “We all have to make joint efforts to utilise the allocated funds. Forest clearance and land acquisition need to be done on time. We will get more funds if we spend the sanctioned amount on time,” said he.
He informed, “Up-gradation works of 12 railway stations in Odisha are underway. New rail lines have also been planned. Works for three new rail lines in Mayurbhanj district are going on.”
He said 3,933 sites have been identified for construction of mobile towers to extend the telecom network to villages. He said a list of unconnected villages is being prepared for internet coverage.
Vaishnaw claimed that the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) had become bankrupt during the UPA regime, but the situation has now changed with the PSU taking initiative to introduce 4G and planning for 5G. The BSNL has been provided Rs 45,000 crore this year, he said.
He said the Prime Minister is totally committed for development of Odisha and all efforts are being made to translate the commitments into reality.