New strategic railway link to boost Odisha's industrial growth and connectivity

Bhubaneswar: The Centre has envisioned a strategic railway link connecting Boinda in Angul to the Balangir-Khurda line via Boudh, around 80km away, which will serve as a vital bridge in Odisha’s expanding rail network, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on Tuesday.The announcement followed a high-level meeting held at Pradhan’s residence in New Delhi where Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and several MPs from Odisha convened to discuss the state’s railway infrastructure and transport priorities.Speaking to media persons after the meeting, Pradhan emphasised that special focus is being placed on enhancing civic amenities and rail connectivity in Odisha’s coal-producing regions.

“These initiatives will link coal belts to port areas, streamlining freight movement and accelerating Odisha’s industrial growth,” he said. He added that robust railway infrastructure is key to realising the vision of a developed Odisha, with progress across social, economic and tourism sectors.The discussion also highlighted the role of railways in connecting agricultural produce to national markets and supporting the development of mining and industrial corridors.

Pradhan reiterated that the double-engine govt is committed to strengthening Odisha’s railway backbone under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Purvodaya’ initiative.The Union minister pointed out that the Modi govt significantly increased railway Budget allocations for Odisha over the past 11 years. While the state received around Rs 1,000 crore annually during the UPA regime, allocations have surged under the current administration.

Around Rs 90,000 crore has been sanctioned for new lines, doubling, and third and fourth line projects across the state.Key projects discussed in the meeting include the Jharsuguda-Barkote line, Anugul-Talcher new line, Bargarh Road-Nuapada Road-Raipur corridor, Talcher-Bimalagarh line, Khurda-Balangir line, Sambalpur-Jarapada third and fourth lines, and the outer coal corridor from Jarapada to Tentuloi via Budhapank.Land acquisition challenges and project delays were also reviewed, with calls for expedited resolution. The meeting further addressed the lack of railway connectivity in southern Odisha’s Bhanjanagar and Aska subdivisions. The proposed Talcher-Gopalpur line, which would link Angul, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, Nayagarh and Ganjam’s Aska region, is expected to significantly bolster the state’s rail grid. Plans to extend the network to Phulbani in Kandhamal were also tabled.Earlier in the day, chief minister Mohan Charan Majhi, besides MPs from Odisha, West Bengal and Andaman, had breakfast at Pradhan’s residence before the MPs took part in voting for the vice-presidential election.