THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, JUNE 23, 2026

The Odisha government has intensified efforts to expedite the ambitious Haridaspur–Vizianagaram Fourth Railway Line Project, with Revenue and Disaster Management Department Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee directing officials to accelerate land acquisition while ensuring comprehensive rehabilitation and resettlement of affected families.

The directive came during a high-level review meeting held at Lok Seva Bhawan on Tuesday to assess the progress of the proposed 440.16-km railway corridor between Haridaspur Junction–Nirgundi Junction and Cuttack Junction–Vizianagaram Junction. The project is considered a crucial infrastructure initiative that will strengthen rail connectivity between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh and ease pressure on the heavily congested Howrah–Chennai mainline.

During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on land acquisition and other revenue-related issues associated with the project. Dr. Padhee stressed that the interests and welfare of affected people must remain the foremost priority and instructed officials to ensure that all displaced families receive proper rehabilitation and resettlement benefits in accordance with government norms.

The Fourth Railway Line Project, estimated to cost ₹7,683.79 crore, will be implemented by East Coast Railway. Once completed, it is expected to significantly enhance rail traffic capacity, facilitate seamless freight movement and improve the punctuality and efficiency of passenger train operations along one of the country’s busiest railway corridors.

The project is also poised to provide a major boost to Odisha’s mining and industrial sectors by enabling faster and more efficient transportation of key commodities such as coal, iron ore, bauxite, steel and aluminium. Improved rail connectivity to strategic ports including Dhamra, Paradip and Gopalpur is expected to further accelerate industrial growth, trade and investment across the state.

In Odisha, the project requires the acquisition of 102.644 hectares of land spread across Jajpur, Khordha and Ganjam districts. Of the total land requirement, 44.576 hectares fall within Khordha district and 55.462 hectares in Ganjam district. The project is likely to impact around 452 households, including 136 families in Khordha and 316 families in Ganjam.

The review meeting focused on the timely disposal of land acquisition cases, assessment and disbursement of compensation, forest land clearance procedures and the speedy implementation of rehabilitation measures. Dr. Padhee directed district administrations, the Revenue and Disaster Management Department, and the Forest and Environment Department to work in close coordination to facilitate smooth land transfer processes while safeguarding the rights and interests of affected families.

Officials observed that the completion of the Fourth Railway Line Project will substantially strengthen railway transportation capacity in the region and emerge as a key driver of Odisha’s industrial development, trade expansion, tourism growth and employment generation in the years ahead.