New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved three significant railway projects with a combined estimated cost of approximately Rs. 6,456 crore, announced Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw in New Delhi today. The announcement was made in the presence of Bargarh MP Pradeep Purohit, Kalahandi MP Malvika Devi, and Odisha’s Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari, who joined the event via video conference.
The approved projects include the 138 km Bargarh Road–Nuapada Road New Line and the 37 km Sardega–Bhalumuda New Double Line. These initiatives are set to transform transportation in the aspirational districts of Nuapada and Bargarh in Odisha, known for their significant rice production. The new rail line will traverse Padampur and other culturally and agriculturally important areas of Western Odisha, enhancing both regional connectivity and tourism.
The Sardega–Bhalumuda New Double Line, which covers 16 km in Sundargarh District, will connect key areas in Odisha and Chhattisgarh with strong cultural and social ties. This project includes the establishment of a new station at Mundharkhet between Sardega and Bhalumuda.
These projects will not only improve logistical efficiency but also bolster economic growth by connecting previously isolated areas and expanding the existing rail network. The new lines are expected to increase transportation efficiency, reduce congestion, and provide vital infrastructure upgrades to some of the busiest railway sections in India.
Part of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, these projects will contribute to seamless connectivity across the nation. They cover seven districts in four states—Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Chhattisgarh—and will extend the railway network by about 300 km. The development includes the construction of 14 new stations and will enhance connectivity to approximately 1,300 villages and 30 lakh people.
The new rail lines will also support the transportation of essential commodities, including agricultural products, fertilizers, coal, and steel. The capacity augmentation is expected to handle an additional freight traffic of 45 million tonnes per annum (MTPA). By enhancing the rail infrastructure, the projects will contribute to lower logistics costs, reduced oil imports, and decreased CO2 emissions—equivalent to planting 9.7 crore trees.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi and praised the collaborative efforts that made these projects possible. MPs Pradeep Purohit and Malvika Devi lauded the Railway Minister and Prime Minister for their support, while East Coast Railway General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal highlighted the benefits of the Bargarh Road–Nuapada Road line, which will also shorten the distance between Sambalpur and Raipur by approximately 87 km.