New railway lines to boost connectivity in Odisha

23 May 2023 CW Team

The Indian government has approved the construction of two new railway lines in Odisha. The 142-kilometre Bargarh Road-Nuapada Road line and the 16.5-kilometre Talcher-Angul line were both announced as special railway projects.

The Bargarh Road-Nuapada Road line was one of the major issues during the Padampur by-election in December last year. The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) had demanded that the central government sanction the project, and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had assured the people of western Odisha that their demand would be met.

The project was initially shelved by the central government in July 2021, but it was later revived by the Odisha Rail Infrastructure Development Limited (ORIDL), a joint venture company of the Odisha government and the Indian Railways.

The new line will reduce travel time between Bargarh and Nuapada, and it will also provide a boost to tourism in the region. The line will pass through several tourist destinations, including the Nrusinghanath Temple.

The Talcher-Angul line is expected to reduce traffic congestion in the region. The new line will also boost the transportation of freight, including coal from Angul to different industries.

The construction of the two new railway lines is a major boost for the development of Odisha. The lines will improve connectivity, boost tourism, and create jobs in the region.

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