Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned the final location survey (FLS) for the proposed Gopalpur-Rayagada new rail line that would connect important regions of South Odisha.
“A Final Location Survey has been sanctioned for the proposed 250 km Gopalpur-Rayagada New Railway Line, which aims to provide an alternate direct rail connectivity between the two locations,” the Centre announced in a post on social media.
It may be noted that location survey for the new rail line was initially sanctioned by the Ministry of Railways in February 2025 with an allocated budget of Rs 9.65 crores alongside the Naupada-Gunupur-Theruvali project.
This infrastructure corridor aims to link mineral-rich, underdeveloped areas across Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada districts
Planned to traverse Digapahandi and Bhismagiri (Ganjam), Mohana, Adava, and Raipank (Gajapati), extending into Gumuda and interior sections of Rayagada.
The Gopalpur-Rayagada new rail line was a long-standing demand of the people of Ganjam, Gajapati and Rayagada districts. According to reports, preliminary survey for the line to be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 1,392 crore was completed in 2012.
The proposed railway line will be the gateway of the under-developed mineral rich areas of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, officials said.
The economic implications of this railway project are substantial. Besides promoting freight transportation, it will help decongest the existing railway lines in the region and also serve as an alternative route connecting various industrial units. The final survey will pave the way for the implementation of the project at the earliest, officials said.