PM Modi To Inaugrate Rs. 17 Crore Redeveloped Paralakhemundi Railway Station in Odisha
Odisha’s historic Paralakhemundi Railway Station has been redeveloped at a cost of Rs 17 crore under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. PM Narendra Modi to Inaugrate the upgraded station featuring modern passenger amenities while preserving its royal heritage.
Paralakhemundi Railway Station in Odisha’s Gajapati district has been comprehensively redeveloped at a cost of Rs 17 crore under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), combining its historic legacy with upgraded passenger facilities ahead of its inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
The redevelopment project has achieved 100 per cent physical and financial completion, making Paralakhemundi one of the completed railway stations under the Centre’s nationwide station modernisation programme. The station is among 59 railway stations in Odisha selected for redevelopment under the scheme, which seeks to transform railway infrastructure while preserving regional architectural and cultural identity.
Designed to reflect the heritage of the former Paralakhemundi princely state, the station’s new façade draws inspiration from the Paralakhemundi royal palace, ensuring that the upgraded facility retains a strong connection with the region’s history even as it incorporates modern infrastructure.
Passenger amenities have been significantly expanded as part of the redevelopment. The station now features a spacious circulating area, an improved station forecourt, dedicated parking facilities, landscaped green spaces, upgraded lighting, modern waiting halls, improved toilets, and enhanced accessibility features for passengers, including those with disabilities. The project also includes upgraded passenger information systems and other facilities intended to improve the overall travel experience.
The station occupies a unique place in Odisha’s railway history. It was established through the efforts of Maharaja Goura Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo, who financed the construction of the Paralakhemundi Light Railway, regarded as Odisha’s first railway line. The redevelopment has therefore been planned not merely as an infrastructure upgrade but also as a restoration of an important historical landmark associated with the state’s early railway development.
Railway authorities have sought to balance heritage conservation with contemporary infrastructure needs. Architectural elements reflecting the station’s historical significance have been retained while integrating modern passenger conveniences expected from a contemporary transport hub.
The upgraded station is one of seven redeveloped railway stations in Odisha that Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to inaugurate virtually on Friday as part of the nationwide launch of 75 redeveloped stations under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Besides Paralakhemundi, the Odisha stations include Balangir, Baripada, Barpali, Bimalagarh, Kesinga and Talcher.
The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, launched to modernise railway stations across India, focuses on improving passenger amenities, enhancing accessibility, strengthening multimodal connectivity and incorporating local culture and architecture into station design. In Odisha alone, the programme covers 59 stations, reflecting a broader push to upgrade railway infrastructure across the state.
