Bhubaneswar: The Indian Railways has made substantial progress in the construction of the 138.32 km new railway line connecting Bargarh Road to Nawapara Road with a view to enhance regional connectivity in Western Odisha and supporting economic growth in the region. This special railway project aims to transform the transportation landscape in Odisha by offering a new, shorter, and more efficient route for both passenger and freight services.
On September 10, 2024, the Railway Board approved the Bargarh Road-Nawapara Road line with a total cost of Rs 2,621.92 crore. The financial breakdown of the project is: civil engineering (Rs 2,107.30 crore); electrical engineering (Rs 305.55 crore) and signal & telecom engineering (Rs 209.07 crore).
As per an official release of the East Coast Railway (ECoR), the Government of Odisha has played a pivotal role in supporting this ambitious project, offering both land free of cost and a grant of Rs 300 crore to ensure its smooth execution.
A crucial component of the project is the acquisition of 924.64 hectares of land, with an estimated cost of Rs 364 crore. This land includes 752.524 hectares of private land, 123.233 hectares of government land and 48.913 hectares of forest land.
In line with the commitment to expedite the process, the competent authorities for land acquisition in both Bargarh and Nawapara districts are appointed.
The land acquisition for the first block section, which spans between Bargarh and Samsara in the Bargarh Tehsil and involves five villages, is progressing rapidly. On October 25, 2024, the Railways submitted the land acquisition proposal for the first block section, and district officials completed verification of the land schedule for the five villages by December 28, 2024. The 20 A notification under the Railway Amendment Act is expected to be published soon, facilitating the timely acquisition of land for this key section.
Key Features of the Project
- Reduction in travel distance: The new route will cut travel by 53 km compared to the Sambalpur-Jharsuguda-Raipur route and by 87 km compared to the Sambalpur-Titlagarh-Raipur route, improving transit times for both passengers and freight.
- Improved freight handling capacity: The new line will enhance freight capacity between Odisha and Chhattisgarh, allowing the movement of goods more efficiently. This is particularly beneficial for industries like steel plants, coal transportation, and iron ore shipping to key locations like Raipur.
- Strategic industrial benefits: This route will support the transportation of finished steel from steel plants, coal from Angul, and iron ore from Daitary and Gandamardhan, reducing logistics costs and improving trade efficiency.
