In a significant move to bolster rail connectivity and industrial logistics, the Railway Board has officially cleared four major railway line projects in Odisha. With a combined investment of approximately ₹9,020.58 crore, these projects will span 312 kilometers and are set to be executed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
The initiative aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Purvodaya’ vision, which focuses on the rapid transformation and development of Eastern India.
Strategic Connectivity and Tourism Growth
Among the most anticipated projects is the 101-km Jajpur Keonjhar Road–Dhamra Port line, estimated to cost ₹2,987.13 crore. This broad-gauge line under the East Coast Railway (ECoR) will feature 10 stations and is expected to revolutionize tourism and religious pilgrimages in the region.
It will provide direct rail access to:
Maa Biraja Temple in Jajpur Town.
Baba Akhandalamani Shrine at Aradi in Bhadrak.
Bhitarkanika National Park in Kendrapara.
Local advocates have noted that this line will reduce the travel distance between Jajpur Road and Dhamra Port by 12 kilometers, benefiting approximately 30 lakh residents while facilitating smoother freight movement.
Industrial and Freight Corridors
The remaining three projects are designed as dedicated freight corridors to support Odisha’s burgeoning mining and coal sectors:
Luburi–Tentuloi–Budhapank Line (112.5 km): Estimated at ₹3,477.67 crore, this will serve as the “outer corridor” for the Talcher coal belt.
Balaram–Putagdia–Tentuloi Line (49.58 km): At a cost of ₹1,404.36 crore, this will function as the “inner corridor” (Phase II) for the same coal region.
Tikiri–Kutrumali Line (49 km): Costing ₹1,151.42 crore, this line is critical for transporting bauxite from the Kutrumali and Sijumali mines in the Kalahandi and Rayagada districts.
These corridors are essential to meet the projections of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL), which anticipates coal dispatch by rail to reach 162.8 million tonnes by 2029–30.
Execution and Implementation
The projects will be implemented through Joint Ventures (JV) or Special Purpose Vehicles (SPV). The Railway Board has directed East Coast Railway to begin consultations with stakeholders and potential investors to finalize the financial structuring.
To ensure seamless execution, the Ministry has instructed Zonal Railways to establish PPP Facilitation Units at the Senior Administrative Grade (SAG) level. These units will consist of experts from engineering, finance, and traffic departments to oversee planning and monitoring.
This infrastructure push is expected to not only enhance the state’s logistical capabilities but also generate significant employment and economic opportunities across the Jajpur, Bhadrak, Kendrapara, Kalahandi, and Rayagada districts.
