Bhubaneswar: In a major move to enhance railway infrastructure in Odisha, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay foundation stone and dedicate multiple projects in the state on Tuesday.
These projects, with a combined investment of Rs 2,871 crore, are set to enhance rail connectivity, decongest key routes, and contribute to the socio-economic development of the region. The initiatives aim to strengthen the vital rail network across industrial, resource-rich, and tribal-dominated regions of Odisha, the East Coast Railway stated.
According to the ECoR, the PM during his visit to Odisha tomorrow, will dedicate 4 key railway sections to the Nation. These are:
1) 25.394 km long Lanjigarh Road-Ambadola-Doikallu Railway Section part of Vizianagaram-Titilagarh 3rd Line Project at a cost of Rs 432 crore. This vital section will bolster capacity on the busy Vizianagaram-Titilagarh route, enhancing connectivity between western Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Enhanced connectivity will benefit passenger traffic and facilitate smoother freight movement;
2) 22.94 km long Laxmipur Road-Singaram-Tikiri Railway Section of Koraput-Singapur Road Doubling Project at a cost of Rs 260 crore. This project aimed at increasing train movement capacity in southern Odisha, this section will ease freight movement from resource-rich areas to major markets;
3) 40.62 km long Dhenkanal-Sadashibapur-Hindol Road Railway Section of Budhapank-Salegaon 3rd & 4th Line Project at a cost of Rs 540 crore. This project will further augment the capacity on the critical industrial route, ensuring smoother and faster transportation of goods; and
4) 12.5 km long Bangurkela-Nowgaon Railway Section of Bondamunda-Ranchi Doubling Project at a cost of Rs 239 crore. The doubling of this line will significantly reduce congestion and improve connectivity between Odisha and Jharkhand.
PM Modi will lay foundation stones for the following 4 future projects, marking the commencement of critical new railway developments:
i) 7 km long Flyover between Siju and Paradeep Coaching Yard at a cost of Rs 200 crore which will eliminate surface crossings, ensuring smoother and uninterrupted train movements at Paradeep Port, one of India’s major trade hubs;
ii) Expansion of 18.51 km long Paradeep-Badabandha 3rd & 4th Line at a cost of Rs 300 crore will boost capacity for both freight and passenger traffic, enhancing connectivity to Paradeep Port;
iii) 10.93 km long Doubling of MCRL inner corridor phase-1 at a cost of Rs 152 crore which will provide smooth evacuation of coal; and
iv) The much awaited 41.9 kms long Jeypore-Nabarangpur New Line at a cost of Rs 748 crore will connect the tribal-dominated regions of Jeypore and Nabarangpur, fostering economic growth and providing better access to markets and resources.
“This aspirational project will link the tribal-dominated areas of Jeypore and Nabarangpur, providing improved access to markets and services for the region’s people. The new line is expected to play a transformative role in the economic upliftment of the area, promoting employment, trade, and mobility,” an ECoR official said.
These projects are part of the government’s larger vision to strengthen Odisha’s rail network, ensuring better connectivity and facilitating the movement of goods and passengers across the state. By reducing congestion, improving connectivity to industrial hubs, and enhancing the capacity of key rail routes, these initiatives will not only support local economies but also contribute to the national economy, the official added.