Bhubaneswar: In yet another infrastructure boost to Odisha, Minister of Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw has sanctioned the Cuttack–Nergundi 4th Line (15.99 km) along with a Rail Flyover at Nergundi, at an estimated cost of ₹802.9 crore.
This critical infrastructure project aims to significantly enhance the capacity and efficiency of train operations in the Howrah–Chennai mainline section and the Cuttack–Paradeep section.
The Cuttack–Nergundi section is part of the Howrah–Chennai High-Density Network (HDN). This corridor currently faces heavy congestion due to traffic from Paradeep Port intersecting the mainline at Cuttack. With no direct junction arrangements at Cuttack for Talcher-bound trains, significant delays often occur due to surface-level crossings.
The fourth line and rail flyover are designed to decongest this corridor by separating port-bound traffic from the mainline routes, particularly between Cuttack and Dhenkanal. This will help reduce detention of passenger and Mail/Express trains in the mainline section operating to and from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
Currently, due to the crossing at Nergundi, Mail/Express trains are sometimes detained because of operational restrictions. The sanctioned project will help ease these constraints, improve punctuality, and facilitate smoother movement of more coaching trains.
The project will also aid in the segregation of coaching and freight traffic in the section. Trains bypassing the mainline route will no longer be delayed, enhancing operational efficiency.
Two new river bridges across the Mahanadi and Birupa rivers will also be constructed as part of the project. The line, including the flyover, will be equipped with Kavach safety features and a 2×25 kV electrified system, enabling a maximum permissible speed of 130 kmph.
This strategic project is part of East Coast Railway’s continuous efforts to modernize infrastructure and improve the efficiency of the rail transport network in one of the busiest corridors of Indian Railways.
