Bhubaneswar: The Centre has approved two major railway multi-tracking projects in Odisha as part of four projects worth around ₹9,450 crore cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
The approved Odisha projects include a 75-km fourth line between Bhadrak and Haridaspur and 72-km third and fourth lines between Cuttack and Paradeep (Badabandha).
The four projects, spread across Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, will add about 410 km to the railway network. They are aimed at increasing capacity, reducing congestion and improving passenger and freight movement.
The projects are being developed under the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan. The Centre said they will benefit around 6,448 villages with a combined population of nearly 60 lakh.
The expanded network is expected to support the movement of coal, iron ore, cement, steel, containers, automobiles and foodgrains. The projects are estimated to add 76 million tonnes per annum of freight capacity.
Several tourist and religious destinations in Odisha are also expected to benefit from improved rail connectivity, including Bhitarkanika National Park, Chandipur Beach, Lalitgiri, Dhabaleswar Temple and Sarala Temple.
The Centre estimates that the projects could save around 13 crore litres of oil and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by about 65 crore kg, supporting more efficient and sustainable transport.