Centre Approves ₹9,450 Crore Railway Expansion Projects to Boost Odisha’s Connectivity

The Union Government has sanctioned four major multitracking railway projects worth Rs 9,450 crore, covering 410 km across Odisha, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.

The approved lines include the Kharagpur–Bhadrak (Ranital) 4th Line (173 km), Bhadrak–Haridaspur 4th Line (75 km), Gummidipundi–Gudur 3rd & 4th Lines (90 km), and Kataka–Paradeep (Badabandha) 3rd & 4th Lines (72 km).

These projects aim to enhance line capacity, reduce congestion, and improve freight and passenger mobility under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.

The expansion will benefit 6,448 villages with a population of 60 lakh, while also boosting tourism to destinations such as Bhitarkanika National Park, Chandipur Beach, Pulicat Lake, and Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex.

The projects are expected to add 76 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight capacity, cut oil imports by 13 crore litres, and reduce 65 crore kg of CO₂ emissions—equivalent to planting 2.6 crore trees.

Completion is targeted by 2030–31, marking one of the largest railway investments in eastern India in recent years.