Centre to Fully Fund Construction of 92 Railway Overbridges in Odisha
Move Aims to Strengthen Connectivity and Enhance Safety Across the State
Bhubaneswar : In a major infrastructure boost for Odisha, the Central Government has announced that it will bear the entire cost of constructing 92 railway overbridges (ROBs) across the state. The decision, taken by the Ministry of Railways, comes in response to a request from the state government seeking full central funding for the projects.
Until now, the cost of constructing such overbridges was shared equally between the Centre and the state under a 50:50 funding arrangement. The new decision marks a significant shift in the funding pattern, ensuring that the Railways will now finance and execute the entire project independently. This initiative is expected to accelerate construction timelines, reduce administrative delays, and enhance road-rail safety infrastructure in multiple districts.
According to the approved plan, the 92 bridges will be spread across several key districts — 35 in Khurda, 21 in Ganjam, 13 in Jajpur, 10 in Cuttack, three in Bhadrak, two each in Dhenkanal, Jagatsinghpur, Rayagada, and Angul, and one in Bargarh. These projects aim to decongest busy railway crossings, prevent accidents, and ensure seamless transportation connectivity for both passengers and freight.
The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) confirmed the development in an official statement, noting that the Ministry of Railways had conveyed its decision through a formal communication. The CMO said the move reflects the Centre’s responsiveness to Odisha’s infrastructure needs and its commitment to ensuring faster project implementation across the state.
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw for their continued support in strengthening Odisha’s transport and railway network. “The approval for conversion of 92 road overbridge works to 100 per cent railway funding and execution by the Railways as a single entity reflects the Centre’s strong commitment to enhance safety and accelerate connectivity in Odisha,” Majhi said.
The chief minister further highlighted that the decision would have a transformative impact on the state’s transportation ecosystem. “The decision will greatly benefit the people by ensuring faster project execution, safer travel, and improved road-rail integration. The prime minister has always given special attention to the development of Odisha. His devotion for the people of the state will accelerate the development process,” he added.
Officials in the Railways Ministry stated that the 92 projects form part of a broader national strategy to improve grade separation between roads and railway lines, thereby reducing delays and enhancing commuter safety. Odisha, with its rapidly growing industrial and mining sectors, has witnessed increased traffic along key rail corridors, making these overbridges essential for efficient logistics and accident prevention.
Each overbridge will be designed to meet modern engineering standards, ensuring durability, capacity to handle high vehicular load, and minimal disruption during construction. Once completed, the overbridges are expected to significantly ease traffic congestion at railway crossings and reduce waiting time for commuters.
The collaboration between the Centre and the Odisha government on this initiative also underscores the growing emphasis on cooperative federalism in infrastructure development. The decision aligns with the Central Government’s broader vision of promoting regional connectivity under the “Viksit Bharat @2047” initiative, aimed at creating a robust and inclusive infrastructure network across the country.
With this move, Odisha is poised to witness a major transformation in its transportation landscape, with enhanced connectivity, faster project execution, and improved road-rail safety benefiting millions of residents across the state.
