Ministry of Railways Sanctions Flyover at Khurda Road to Ease Traffic Congestion

Bhubaneswar: To address the increasing train traffic and congestion at Khurda Road Station, the Ministry of Railways has sanctioned a significant infrastructure project. The East Coast Railway (ECoR) had earlier proposed the construction of a Flyover Bridge to facilitate smoother train operations on the Howrah-Chennai Main Line and the Khurda Road-Puri Branch Line. This project, to be executed under the Energy Corridor Scheme of Indian Railways, aims to enhance the efficiency and capacity of train movements in this busy section.

The flyover, estimated to cost ₹191.87 crores, is designed to provide a dedicated infrastructure for trains traveling from Puri to connect to the down line towards Bhubaneswar without crossing other lines at Khurda Road Station.

Key Highlights of the Project:

• Project Cost: The flyover will be constructed at a sanctioned cost of ₹191.87 crores.
• Length: The Flyover Bridge will span 7.41 km.
• Hassle-Free Movement for Passenger Trains: This will facilitate smooth movement of passenger trains in the Bhubaneswar direction originating from Puri.
• Energy Corridor Scheme: The construction will be part of the Energy Corridor of Indian Railways, showcasing a commitment to sustainable and efficient infrastructure development.
• Operational Efficiency: The new flyover will eliminate detentions due to cross-movements, improving the average speed and operational efficiency of trains on both the Howrah-Chennai Main Line and the Khurda Road-Puri Branch Line.
• Congestion Relief: Main line trains will no longer be detained at Khurda Road Station, significantly reducing the waiting period for trains approaching this busy junction.

Khurda Road Railway Station is a major junction, handling various train movements. The construction of this flyover will facilitate simultaneous movements of trains in the Bhubaneswar-Brahmapur and Khurda Road-Puri rail sections. Previously, train movements had to be halted at Khurda Road to allow for cross-traffic from the Puri direction, leading to delays and operational inefficiencies.

Currently, any train coming from Puri and heading towards Bhubaneswar creates a surface crossing at Khurda Road Junction Station. This limitation prevents the simultaneous movement of trains from Khurda towards Palasa and from Puri towards Bhubaneswar. Once this flyover is commissioned, simultaneous movement of trains from Puri and towards the south can occur together. As a result, passengers from Puri and the south towards Bhubaneswar, and from the Bhubaneswar direction towards the south, will not experience delays due to the passing of trains from triangular directions.