In a major boost to Odisha’s railway infrastructure, the Union Cabinet has approved four multi-tracking railway projects worth around ₹9,450 crore. The projects include two key rail expansion works in Odisha—Bhadrak-Haridaspur and Cuttack-Paradeep.

The projects were approved at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the projects will significantly increase rail capacity, particularly along the Cuttack-Paradeep and Bhadrak-Haridaspur corridors. The expansion is expected to make the transportation of coal, iron ore, steel, cement and other goods from Paradeep Port more efficient.

The approved projects will add around 410 km to the railway network and benefit 6,448 villages and more than 60 lakh people. The projects are targeted for completion by 2030-31.

Among the Odisha projects, the 75-km Bhadrak-Haridaspur fourth line and the 72-km Cuttack-Paradeep (Badabandh) third and fourth lines are expected to play a key role in improving railway capacity and connectivity.

The railway expansion is also expected to improve access to several tourism, religious and heritage destinations in Odisha and neighbouring regions. These include Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary, Bhitarkanika National Park, Maa Bhadrakali Temple, Maa Dhamarai Temple, Panchalingeswar Temple, Talsari-Udaypur, Chandipur Beach, Garh Kujang Jagannath Temple, Sarala Temple, Dhabaleswar Temple and Lalitgiri.

The projects are expected to strengthen connectivity across Odisha, particularly along industrial and freight corridors. The Cuttack-Paradeep corridor has strategic importance for transporting goods to and from Paradeep Port, while the Bhadrak-Haridaspur section will enhance the capacity of an important railway route in the state.

The Centre expects the projects to give fresh momentum to Odisha’s industrial, commercial, tourism and overall economic development.

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