In a significant push for connectivity and development in eastern India, Odisha has witnessed an unprecedented surge in railway infrastructure under the Indian Railways’ ambitious expansion plans.
According to a press release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), new railway track commissioning in the state has increased over 3.5 times, with 2,150 km laid between 2014 and 2025, compared to just 267 km from 2009 to 2014. This averages out to 195 km per year in recent times, up from 53 km annually in the previous period.
The highlight includes the commissioning of 226 km on the Khurda Road-Bolangir new line, where all seven tunnels on the final 75-km Daspalla-Purunakatak section have been excavated. Additionally, 57 km of the Salegaon-Budhapanik third and fourth lines have been completed, with six major bridges and two stations finished on the remaining 28 km stretch.
This growth is backed by a dramatic rise in budget allocations. The average annual outlay for Odisha’s railway projects jumped from ₹838 crore during 2009-14 to ₹10,599 crore in 2025-26 – nearly a 13-fold increase. As of April 1, 2025, 49 projects (19 new lines and 30 doubling/multi-tracking initiatives) spanning 4,010 km have been sanctioned at a total cost of ₹67,496 crore. Of these, 1,429 km have been commissioned, with ₹28,043 crore expended by March 2025.
Among the recently completed projects are key lines like the Daitari-Banspani new line (179 km) at ₹1,317 crore, Jharsuguda-Sardega (50 km) at ₹1,598 crore, and Haridaspur-Paradeep (82 km) at ₹2,397 crore. Ongoing ventures include the Junagarh-Nabarangpur new line (116 km) at ₹2,865 crore, Vizianagaram-Titlagarh third line (265 km) at ₹6,996 crore, and several doubling projects like Kottavalasa-Koraput (189 km) at ₹2,500 crore.
Progress on flagship projects is noteworthy. The Khurda Road-Bolangir line (301 km), costing ₹5,089 crore, has seen 106 km from Khurda Road to Daspalla and 120 km from Purunakatak to Bolangir commissioned, with works advancing on the middle section. Similarly, the Salegaon-Budhapanik third and fourth line (85 km) has 57 km operational, with land acquisition and key infrastructure completed on the rest.
Union Minister for Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a Rajya Sabha reply, outlined factors influencing project sanctions, such as traffic projections, connectivity needs, and socio-economic benefits. Completion timelines depend on land acquisition, clearances, and local conditions. The minister also highlighted existing train services, including the daily Bhubaneswar-Jagdalpur Hirakhand Express and multiple connections in the Koraput-Kottavalasa and Kottavalasa-Bhubaneswar sectors.
This railway boom is set to enhance freight movement, passenger connectivity, and economic growth in Odisha, aligning with India’s broader infrastructure goals.
