The total Budgetary Allocation for Railway Projects in Odisha is ₹10,586 crore for the fiscal year 2024-25. Till date, remarkable expenditure of 81.78% of this allocation has already been incurred towards key railway projects aimed at improving connectivity, safety and infrastructure across the region. Up to January 2025 of the current Financial Year, i.e., 2024-25; Rupees 8657.23 Crores have been spent.
This is the testament of Ministry of Railways commitment towards infrastructure development in Odisha.
New Projects Sanctioned
In line with the vision to strengthen Odisha’s railway infrastructure, 8 new railway projects have been sanctioned in the fiscal year 2024-25, amounting to ₹18,118 crore. These projects include:
• Gunupur-Theruvali New Line (73.62 km): Costing ₹1,326 crore, this new line will benefit Rayagada District.
• Junagarh Road-Nabrangpur New Line (116.21 km): At a cost of ₹3,274 crore, this line will connect Kalahandi and Nabarangpur Districts.
• Malkangiri-Pandurangapuram New Line (173.61 km): Costing ₹4,109 crore, this project will connect Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana.
• Badampahar-Kendujhargarh New Line (82.06 km): A ₹2,107 crore project benefiting Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj Districts.
• Bangriposi-Gorumahisani New Line (85.60 km): A ₹2,549 crore investment in Mayurbhanj District.
• Buramara-Chakulia New Line (59.96 km): At ₹1,639 crore, this project connects Mayurbhanj, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
• Bargarh Road to Nawapara Road (138.32 km): A ₹2,621.92 crore project aimed at improving connectivity in Western Odisha.
• Puri-Konark Railway Line (32 km): ₹492 crore sanctioned for the new rail line connecting these iconic tourist destinations.
Major Railway Flyovers to Improve Connectivity
As part of the effort to modernize and improve train services, 5 major rail flyovers have been sanctioned costing Rupees 1173.12 Crore along with sanction for FLS for one Double Line Fly Over:
• Sambalpur Station to Sambalpur City Station (8.10 km): ₹288.61 crore for this important flyover project connecting Sambalpur City and Sarla Station to ease traffic from Sambalpur Main Station.
• Khurda Road Station Railway Flyover: ₹191.87 crore allocated to alleviate train traffic congestion at Khurda Road Station for Trains from Puri towards Bhubaneswar direction.
• Rail Flyover in Cuttack connecting Rajathagarh-Radhakishorepur-Machhapur (10.89 km): Rs 268.92 Crore project to alleviate train traffic congestion connecting Rajathgarh, Radhakishorepur, and Machhapur Railway Stations in Cuttack. This infrastructure will improve operations by allowing simultaneous train movements, reducing delays from cross-traffic.
• Titilagarh Rail Flyover (8.11 km): ₹183.89 crore to ease train operations in the region.
• Singapur Road Station in Rayagada (5.50 km): ₹239.83 crore to ease congestion on the Raipur-Vizianagaram Rail Line.
Apart from this, Final Location Surveys (FLS) for Double Line Fly Over at Lajkura in Sundargarh District has also been sanctioned to improve rail infrastructure and boosting the efficiency of rail transportation.
Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line Project
This important rail project, sanctioned in 1994-95, had faced delays due to land acquisition challenges. However, with ₹1160 crore allocated for the project in this fiscal, the expenditure as of January 2025 stands at approximately ₹913 crore. It is expected that expenditure will reach more than ₹1,100 crore by the end of this financial year. The Odisha Government has actively facilitated the land acquisition process, and work is progressing steadily, with major approvals and permits now in place. In the current financial year, Rail Line construction work target for the 74 Kms in Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line project between Sonepur and Purunakatak has already been completed creating a history for this public centric Rail Line project.
Redevelopment of Key Railway Stations
The redevelopment of Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Cuttack Railway Stations continues to make significant strides:
Bhubaneswar Railway Station: Over ₹269 crore has been spent, and the project is 60% complete. The work of re-development of Bhubaneswar Station was sanctioned by Railway Board in June’22. The work is in advanced stage with the buildings on both sides of the station completed and finishing work are in progress. The work of elevated road has commenced on the Main entry (West) side. Apart from this, Rs 50 crores have been spent at Puri Railway Station and Rs 168.39 cr has been spent at Cuttack Rail Station.
Track Renewal
For the fiscal year 2024-25, ₹1,134 crore was allocated for track renewal in ECoR with ₹935.77 crore (around 80% of the budget) already expended. Out of 365 Kms target, 341 Kms of Track renewal has already been completed.
Safety Initiatives
In ECoR, ₹1,290.36 crore has been spent towards safety initiatives, which comprises approximately 78% of the allocated budget for safety projects. This includes, Level Crossing, ROB/RUB, Track Renewal, Bridge Works and Signaling & Telecom works. Apart from this, Ministry of Railways has also Recently Sanctioned ₹275.01 Crore for provision of Safety Fencing along Railway Tracks. Bhubaneswar and Palasa Railway Stations over Khurda Road Division along with Brahmapur-Golanthara Rail Section.
Signal & Telecom
The Automatic Block Signaling (ABS) system is being deployed across key Railway Sections, including the Jakhapura-Nergundi and Khurda Road-Golanthara Rail Sections. This advanced system will enhance the train operational capacity and safety of trains. East Coast Railway (ECoR) has initiated a major safety enhancement project by planning the installation of the advanced Kavach system between Ranital (Bhadrak) in Odisha and Duvvada (Visakhapatnam) in Andhra Pradesh, a vital section of the Howrah-Chennai Main Line covering a distance of 595 KMs. Tender has been notified for the survey, design, supply, installation, testing, and commissioning of Kavach equipment, as well as other associated works, with an estimated value of ₹280 crore, approx.
The Ministry of Railways remains fully dedicated to enhancing connectivity, promoting economic growth, and ensuring safety in Rail Transport in East Coast Region. With robust investments, active collaboration with state authorities, and tireless work, we are confident that the railway network in Odisha will see remarkable progress in the coming years, benefiting millions of citizens and boosting regional development.
