Cabinet Approves ₹3,907‑Crore Rail Projects to Boost Odisha Connectivity by 2031
Bhubaneswar, July 15: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has cleared two major railway multitracking projects worth Rs 3,907 crore to strengthen Odisha’s connectivity.
The Paradeep–Haridaspur Doubling and Rajkharsawan–Dangoaposi Fourth Line will add 145 km of new rail capacity, targeted for completion by 2030–31.
These projects are expected to benefit 1,526 villages with a combined population of 14 lakh, while enhancing freight movement of coal, iron ore, dolomite, and limestone.
Connectivity to Paradeep Port, industrial hubs, and cultural landmarks such as Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex and Shree Baladevjew Temple will be significantly improved.
The projects are aligned with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, aiming to boost punctuality, reduce congestion, and create new employment opportunities.
Environmental benefits include saving 6 crore litres of oil imports and cutting 29 crore kg of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to planting 1 crore trees.
The additional freight traffic capacity is projected at 44 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum), reinforcing Odisha’s role as a critical industrial and logistics hub.
