₹2,926 Cr Bargarh-Nuapada Rail Line Among 3 Major Projects Approved by Centre

Bhubaneswar: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned three significant railway projects valued at Rs 6,456 crore.

One of the key projects is the Bargarh Road-Nawapara Road new railway line in Odisha, stretching 138 km. This project, aimed at enhancing rail connectivity between Bargarh and Nuapada districts, will involve an investment of Rs 2,926 crore, according to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who made the announcement at a press conference in New Delhi.

In addition, the CCEA has approved a new double line between Sardega in Odisha’s Sundargarh district and Bhalumuda in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district. The Centre has allocated Rs 1,360 crore for this 37-km rail line.

Another significant approval is for the Jamshedpur-Purulia-Asansol (Chandil-Anara-Damodar) third line, designed to improve connectivity between Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district and the Purulia and Bardhaman districts of West Bengal. This 121-km rail line will receive Rs 2,170 crore in funding.

Collectively, these three rail projects will add approximately 300 km to the Indian Railways network, impacting seven districts across Odisha, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Chhattisgarh. A total of 14 new stations will be established, benefiting around 1,300 villages and a population of 11 lakh. The multi-tracking initiatives will further enhance connectivity for 19 lakh people.

These infrastructure developments are set to strengthen the transportation of various commodities, including agricultural products, fertilizer, coal, iron ore, steel, cement and limestone, with an expected increase in freight traffic by 45 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum), Vaishnaw added.