+
Stage-II Green Clearance for New Railway Line Project
RAILWAYS & METRO RAIL

Stage-II Green Clearance for New Railway Line Project

The Khurda Road-Balangir new railway line project has successfully cleared its final hurdle, with stage-II clearance granted for the forest land required for the project. Stage-I clearance for the forest land was granted in February 2023.

The project involves acquiring 3,274.3 hectares of land, including 746.4 hectares of forest land. The main obstacle in land acquisition was obtaining forest clearance for the 68-kilometre stretch from Daspalla in Nayagarh district to Purunakatak in Boudh district. This stretch, which passes through the Eastern Ghats, includes 594.6 hectares of forest land.

The 301-kilometre-long new line will connect eastern and western Odisha, passing through districts such as Nayagarh, Boudh, and Subarnapur. The line will also provide the shortest route between Khurda and Balangir. However, the forest clearance has been a major roadblock to progress on the project, which was sanctioned in 1994-95.

East Coast Railway (ECoR) officials stated that all necessary measures have been taken to safeguard the forest cover and prevent harm to wildlife. "The forest diversion proposal was submitted in 2020, and after significant effort and compliance with environmental and Supreme Court directives, stage-I clearance was received in February 2023, followed by stage-II clearance on January 13 this year. With contracts in place, work has now intensified," an ECoR statement confirmed.

The alignment of the track has been adjusted to avoid the Mahanadi wildlife sanctuary on one side and the Brutang river on the other. In consultation with the forest department, measures to minimise human-animal conflict have been implemented.

A comprehensive wildlife conservation plan, approved by Odisha's principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), includes provisions for viaducts and animal underpasses/overpasses. Seven tunnels, totalling 12.7 kilometres, will be constructed to reduce forest land acquisition, while a 4.8-kilometre-long viaduct is being built to avoid the Brutang reservoir. These engineering solutions aim to minimise tree felling and protect the ecosystem.

The Khurda Road-Balangir new railway line project has successfully cleared its final hurdle, with stage-II clearance granted for the forest land required for the project. Stage-I clearance for the forest land was granted in February 2023. The project involves acquiring 3,274.3 hectares of land, including 746.4 hectares of forest land. The main obstacle in land acquisition was obtaining forest clearance for the 68-kilometre stretch from Daspalla in Nayagarh district to Purunakatak in Boudh district. This stretch, which passes through the Eastern Ghats, includes 594.6 hectares of forest land. The 301-kilometre-long new line will connect eastern and western Odisha, passing through districts such as Nayagarh, Boudh, and Subarnapur. The line will also provide the shortest route between Khurda and Balangir. However, the forest clearance has been a major roadblock to progress on the project, which was sanctioned in 1994-95. East Coast Railway (ECoR) officials stated that all necessary measures have been taken to safeguard the forest cover and prevent harm to wildlife. The forest diversion proposal was submitted in 2020, and after significant effort and compliance with environmental and Supreme Court directives, stage-I clearance was received in February 2023, followed by stage-II clearance on January 13 this year. With contracts in place, work has now intensified, an ECoR statement confirmed. The alignment of the track has been adjusted to avoid the Mahanadi wildlife sanctuary on one side and the Brutang river on the other. In consultation with the forest department, measures to minimise human-animal conflict have been implemented. A comprehensive wildlife conservation plan, approved by Odisha's principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), includes provisions for viaducts and animal underpasses/overpasses. Seven tunnels, totalling 12.7 kilometres, will be constructed to reduce forest land acquisition, while a 4.8-kilometre-long viaduct is being built to avoid the Brutang reservoir. These engineering solutions aim to minimise tree felling and protect the ecosystem.

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India to Invest Rs 600 Billion to Upgrade 1,000 ITIs

As part of its drive to modernise vocational training, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), in collaboration with Gujarat’s Labour and Employment Department, held a State-Level Workshop at the NAMTECH Campus within IIT-Gandhinagar to discuss the National Scheme for ITI Upgradation.The consultation brought together key stakeholders from industry and the training ecosystem to align expectations and support implementation of the scheme, which aims to transform 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) across India using a hub-and-spoke model. The total outlay stands ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

India Unveils Rs 600 Billion Maritime Finance Push

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW) hosted the Maritime Financing Summit 2025 in New Delhi, bringing together over 250 stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, global investors, and financial institutions. The summit, held under the ambit of Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision (MAKV) 2047, focused on transforming India into a leading maritime power with strengthened financial, infrastructural, and technological capabilities.Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal emphasised India's strategic progress, noting that average port turnaround times have dropped from four days to u..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

Govt Allocates Rs 500 Million To Boost Community Radio

The Central Government, through its ‘Supporting Community Radio Movement in India’ scheme, has allocated Rs 500 million to strengthen the community radio ecosystem across the country. The initiative aims to assist both newly established and long-operational Community Radio Stations (CRSs), ensuring their relevance to local educational, social, cultural, and developmental needs.According to the policy published by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, CRSs may be set up by not-for-profit organisations with at least three years of demonstrated community service. These stations are ex..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?