Bhubaneswar: The Ministry of Railways has notified a new broad-gauge railway line in Odisha as a “Special Railway Project,” marking a significant development aimed at strengthening mineral transport infrastructure in the region.
The notification, published in The Gazette of India (Extraordinary) under S.O. 1983(E), pertains to the construction of a new railway line connecting Tikiri Station with the Kutrumali and Sijumali bauxite mines in the Waltair Division of the East Coast Railway.
As per the notification issued by the East Coast Railway (Construction), Bhubaneswar, the project has been brought under Clause (37A) of Section 2 of the Railways Act, 1989. This classification enables the Central Government to fast-track statutory approvals and land acquisition processes for projects of public importance.
Officials stated that the proposed rail link will significantly improve connectivity to major bauxite mining areas in Odisha. By integrating mineral-rich zones directly with the railway network, the project is expected to ensure faster and more efficient movement of raw materials, thereby enhancing industrial productivity and reducing logistics costs.
Upon completion, the rail line is likely to play a crucial role in increasing mineral evacuation capacity from Odisha’s mining belts, contributing to regional economic development as well as strengthening national industrial supply chains.
