Bhubaneswar: In a major boost to Odisha’s rail infrastructure and port connectivity, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the doubling of the Paradeep-Haridaspur rail line as part of two railway projects worth Rs 3,907 crore aimed at enhancing line capacity, easing congestion and improving freight movement in Odisha and neighbouring Jharkhand.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also approved the construction of a fourth rail line between Rajkharsawan and Dangoaposi in Jharkhand. The two projects are expected to strengthen connectivity in the mineral-rich eastern region and facilitate faster movement of both passenger and freight trains.
The Paradeep-Haridaspur doubling project assumes significance as the corridor serves Paradeep Port, one of the country’s busiest major ports, and is a key route for transporting coal, iron ore and other bulk commodities from mineral-rich areas to industries and export destinations. The additional line will help decongest the existing route, improve operational efficiency and ensure smoother freight movement.
Planned under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the projects aim to enhance multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency through integrated infrastructure planning. The government said the projects would facilitate the seamless movement of people, goods and services while supporting regional economic growth.
The two projects, spread across four districts in Odisha and Jharkhand, will expand the Indian Railways network by about 145 km. They are expected to improve connectivity to nearly 1,526 villages with a combined population of around 14 lakh, besides creating employment and self-employment opportunities during construction and through subsequent economic activities.
The capacity augmentation will also improve rail access to prominent tourist destinations, including the Lalitgiri Buddhist Complex in Odisha, the Shree Baladevjew Temple in Kendrapara and Meghahatuburu Hills in Jharkhand.
According to the government, the upgraded corridors will be capable of handling an additional freight traffic of about 44 million tonnes per annum. Besides boosting logistics efficiency, the projects are expected to lower transportation costs and reduce dependence on road transport.
The Centre said the shift of freight to rail would also contribute to environmental sustainability by saving an estimated six crore litres of diesel and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by nearly 29 crore kg annually, equivalent to planting around one crore trees.
The projects are aligned with the Centre’s strategy to modernise railway infrastructure, strengthen last-mile connectivity to ports and industrial hubs, and support Odisha’s growing role as a logistics and manufacturing hub in eastern India.
