Eastern Coast Railway Corridor to Transform Odisha’s Connectivity
Bhubaneswar, April 19: The Government has approved a high‑density railway corridor along the Howrah–Chennai route, positioning Odisha as a central hub in this ambitious infrastructure upgrade.
The corridor will cover key districts including Balasore, Bhadrak, Jakhapura, Haridaspur, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Khorda, and Berhampur, featuring a four‑line track system designed to ease congestion and improve efficiency.
Officials highlight that the project will significantly reduce passenger delays in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, while also strengthening industrial supply chains by linking Odisha’s mineral zones with ports such as Kakinada, Machilipatnam, and Gangavaram in Andhra Pradesh.
The development includes 3 mega bridges, 58 major bridges, 416 minor bridges, 73 underpasses, 3 flyovers, and a 2.7‑km elevated line across a 458‑km stretch.
Beyond boosting connectivity, the corridor is expected to cut 51.5 crore kg of CO₂ emissions annually, supporting India’s sustainable transport goals.
This initiative marks a major step in modernizing India’s railway infrastructure, balancing passenger convenience, industrial growth, and environmental responsibility.
