Bhubaneswar, Sept. 17 (UDN): Odisha is set for a major railway expansion under the Centre’s Purvodaya vision, with infrastructure projects worth nearly ₹1 lakh crore planned across the state. Six key rail corridors are expected to significantly improve connectivity in Rayagada, Kalahandi, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts.
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Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said railway works valued at around ₹70,000 crore have already received approval for Odisha. At present, 40 railway projects spanning 4,017 kilometres are under various stages of execution, involving an investment of ₹54,434 crore.
Six projects receive Cabinet approval
The Union Cabinet’s Committee on Economic Affairs recently cleared eight railway projects across the country worth ₹24,657 crore. Of these, six projects are linked to Odisha and account for an estimated ₹15,004 crore in investment.
The approved projects include:
Gunupur–Therubali (73.62 km)
Junagarh Road–Nabarangpur (116.21 km)
Malkangiri–Pandurangapuram via Bhadrachalam (173.61 km)
Badampahar–Keonjhar
Bangiriposi–Gorumahisani
Buramara–Chakulia
According to the Railway Minister, both newly sanctioned and ongoing projects will be taken up on a priority basis to accelerate their completion.
State pledges support
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assured the Centre of the state’s full cooperation, particularly in speeding up land acquisition, which is considered crucial for timely project execution.
Boost for connectivity and industry
The new rail links are expected to improve passenger mobility while strengthening freight transportation across mineral-rich and agricultural regions of Odisha. Once completed, the corridors are expected to facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, fertilisers, coal, iron ore, steel, cement, bauxite, limestone, aluminium, granite and ballast.
The expansion is also expected to enhance service reliability, improve regional connectivity and support economic growth in some of Odisha’s most strategically important districts.