Bhubaneswar, July 17 (UNI) In a major boost to railway infrastructure in Odisha, the Ministry of Railways has sanctioned the construction of a fourth railway line between Ranital Link Cabin and Bhadrak station (5.06 km) at an estimated cost of Rs 149.32 crore.
According to East Coast Railway (ECoR) sources, this vital project will significantly enhance the capacity and efficiency of train operations along the busy Howrah–Chennai mainline while improving freight connectivity to Dhamra and Paradeep ports.
The Ranital Link Cabin–Bhadrak section forms a part of the Howrah–Chennai High-Density Network (HDN), one of the busiest rail corridors in the country.
The newly approved fourth line aims to ease congestion by separating port-bound freight traffic from the mainline. This will ensure faster, smoother, and more punctual operations for both passenger and Mail/Express trains.
The project is also expected to support the seamless movement of additional coaching trains between Kharagpur and Bhubaneswar, and beyond.
At present, the section experiences severe congestion, often resulting in train delays and operational bottlenecks. With the completion of the new line, such restrictions will be reduced, enabling a more reliable and timely train schedule for the public.
Additionally, the segregation of freight and passenger traffic will minimise delays and improve the overall efficiency of the route. The enhanced line capacity will also accommodate increased traffic volumes to meet the growing transport demands of the region.
This initiative is part of East Coast Railway’s ongoing efforts to modernise infrastructure and build a world-class railway network for the people of Odisha.
