Odisha is planning a series of new railway corridors under the public–private–partnership (PPP) model as part of its broader push to strengthen logistics infrastructure and support port-led industrialisation. The corridors aim to enhance coal evacuation from key mining belts and stimulate economic growth across the state’s hinterlands.

A major new railway corridor is proposed for the Talcher coalfields, with an estimated investment of Rs 4,882 crore. Alongside this, the state is planning the Gopalpur–Rayagada–Jeypore economic corridor, which will feature both rail and road networks. Additional port-linked rail routes are also being explored across various regions.

At a recent high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, it was decided to expedite both the inner and outer rail corridors of Talcher to improve coal movement. As per Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd’s proposed expansion plan, coal despatch by rail is projected to reach 88 per cent — around 162.8 million tonnes — by 2029–30.

Phase-I of the inner corridor, the Angul–Balram rail link, has already been commissioned. The Railway Board has been briefed on Phase-II — a 50 km stretch between Balram, Putagadia, Tentuloi and Jharpada — and on the 112.56 km outer corridor from Budhapanka to Luburi via Tentuloi.

A meeting with the Railway Board will soon be convened to determine the most suitable PPP structure for these projects. The Commerce and Transport Department, IDCO and East Coast Railway (ECoR) have been tasked with preparing detailed project reports, land acquisition plans and route alignments.

The state will also form a special committee headed by Industries Additional Chief Secretary Hemant Sharma, with members from ECoR, IDCO and the Rail Coordination Office, to finalise alignment and right-of-way matters for the Gopalpur–Rayagada corridor. The 400 km Gopalpur–Jeypore economic corridor had earlier attracted interest from the Adani Group.

Under port-led rail expansion, Odisha will fast-track the doubling of the 74.08 km Haridaspur–Paradeep line, a new 96 km rail link between Jajpur–Keonjhar Road and Dhamra Port via Jajpur and Aradi, and a 270 km line between Gopalpur and Rairakhol.

Preliminary talks have also been held for a new rail line from Raja Athagarh in Cuttack district to Kaipadar Road in Khurda, running parallel to the proposed Capital Region Ring Road (Bhubaneswar bypass).