Bhubaneswar: The state govt has accelerated land acquisition for four new railway projects in Odisha covering 382km and involving an investment of more than Rs 7,000 crore. The work gained momentum after the signing of an MoU and grant of Special Railway Project status, the state govt said.The four new railway lines — Jeypore-Malkangiri, Jeypore-Nabarangpur, Bargarh-Nuapada and Gunupur-Theruvali — are expected to benefit around 30 lakh people in remote and tribal regions, improving rail connectivity in southern and western Odisha.A statement by commerce and transport department, posted on social media on Friday night, said the Odisha govt and railway ministry signed an MoU to extend rail links to border areas. The state will provide financial assistance as well as land for the projects.East Coast Railway (ECoR) said in an official statement that work is progressing in mission mode on land acquisition, forest clearances, tendering and construction.The 126-km Jeypore-Malkangiri line will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 2,343.6 crore, with 75% funding from the railways and 25% from Odisha govt. Tenders for construction have already been invited.The 44.14-km Jeypore-Nabarangpur line, estimated at Rs 747.9 crore, is being implemented with the state bearing the cost of land and half of the construction, while railways will fund the remaining 50%. Construction, including major bridge works, has already started on key stretches, the ECoR said.These two projects will provide first-ever rail connectivity to the tribal-dominated districts of Nabarangpur and Malkangiri.The 138.32-km Bargarh-Nuapada line will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 2,621.9 crore. The ECoR said land acquisition and tendering are moving ahead simultaneously.In Bargarh district, 20A gazette notifications initiating land acquisition have been published for all 79 villages along the route, with the process reaching the final stage in six villages. In Nuapada district, 20A gazette notifications have been issued for all six villages covered by the project.The ECoR said the Special Railway Project status has further sped up land acquisition and that the line is expected to improve access to jobs, markets and essential services for the tribal communities in Nuapada.The 73.62-km Gunupur-Theruvali line, estimated at Rs 1,165.89 crore, is also seeing parallel progress in land acquisition and tendering. The land acquisition process at all 51 villages on the route is in final stage. The line will connect the southern part of the state with western Odisha.According to the ECoR, the improved rail network will help farmers access wider markets, enable students to reach educational institutions more easily, improve travel for patients seeking healthcare, attract investment, generate employment and strengthen administrative access in remote areas.
