The Odisha government has accelerated land acquisition for four new railway projects in the state, covering a total distance of 382 kilometers and involving an investment of more than Rs 7,000 crore. The process gained momentum after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the grant of Special Railway Project status, as per the state government.
Four New Railway Lines
The four new railway lines include Jeypore-Malkangiri, Jeypore-Nabarangpur, Bargarh-Nuapada, and Gunupur-Theruvali. These projects are expected to benefit around 30 lakh people in remote and tribal regions, significantly improving rail connectivity in southern and western Odisha.
A statement from the commerce and transport department, posted on social media on Friday night, said that the Odisha government and the railway ministry signed an MoU to extend rail links to border areas. The state will provide financial assistance as well as land for the projects.
Progress by East Coast Railway
East Coast Railway (ECoR) stated in an official release that work is progressing in mission mode on land acquisition, forest clearances, tendering, and construction. The 126-km Jeypore-Malkangiri line will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 2,343.6 crore, with 75% funding from the railways and 25% from the Odisha government. Tenders for construction have already been invited.
The 44.14-km Jeypore-Nabarangpur line, estimated at Rs 747.9 crore, is being implemented with the state bearing the cost of land and half of the construction, while railways will fund the remaining 50%. Construction, including major bridge works, has already started on key stretches, according to ECoR.
These two projects will provide first-ever rail connectivity to the tribal-dominated districts of Nabarangpur and Malkangiri.
Bargarh-Nuapada Line
The 138.32-km Bargarh-Nuapada line will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,621.9 crore. ECoR said that land acquisition and tendering are moving ahead simultaneously. In Bargarh district, 20A gazette notifications initiating land acquisition have been published for all 79 villages along the route, with the process reaching the final stage in six villages. In Nuapada district, 20A gazette notifications have been issued for all six villages covered by the project.
ECoR noted that the Special Railway Project status has further sped up land acquisition and that the line is expected to improve access to jobs, markets, and essential services for the tribal communities in Nuapada.
Gunupur-Theruvali Line
The 73.62-km Gunupur-Theruvali line, estimated at Rs 1,165.89 crore, is also seeing parallel progress in land acquisition and tendering. The land acquisition process at all 51 villages on the route is in the final stage. The line will connect the southern part of the state with western Odisha.
According to ECoR, the improved rail network will help farmers access wider markets, enable students to reach educational institutions more easily, improve travel for patients seeking healthcare, attract investment, generate employment, and strengthen administrative access in remote areas.
