A coalition of social organisations under the Milita Kriya Anusthan Committee has stepped up its campaign for the construction of a Berhampur–Sambalpur (Rairkhol) railway line via Bhanjanagar and Phulbani, aiming to improve rail connectivity in southern Odisha.

On Friday, the group launched a public awareness drive across Ganjam and Kandhamal districts, highlighting the urgent need for the proposed railway route. A "Vikash Rath" bus, carrying around 40 committee members, began its journey from the local railway station, stopping for public meetings in Hinjili, Aska, and Bhanjanagar, with a follow-up meeting planned for Phulbani on Saturday.

Bala Krushna Panda, a retired IAS officer and president of the committee, led the campaign, urging the government to begin immediate construction. “If the railway line is built, it will bring Kandhamal onto the railway map for the first time,” he said, underlining the historic neglect of the tribal-dominated district, which remains unconnected by rail even after 78 years of Independence.

Residents of Kandhamal and Bhanjanagar, located around 80 km from Berhampur, currently rely on Berhampur station for all train travel. The committee believes that integrating Kandhamal into the national railway network will be a turning point for the region’s economic and social development.

The campaign seeks to mobilise both public support and political will, advocating the project as a lifeline for underserved tribal communities and a catalyst for regional growth.