Centre sanctions Bargarh-Nuapada, Talcher-Angul new railway lines in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: There is reason to cheer for people of western part of Odisha as the Centre has fulfilled the long-standing demand of providing rail connectivity to Nuapada Road from Bargarh Road via Padampur. The Centre has notified the 142km rail line as a 'special railway project' along with another new line project from Talcher to Angul.
Bargarh Road-Nuapada Road new line project was one of the major issues during the Padampur byelection held on December 5 last year. While BJD had demanded the Centre to sanction this project, railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw had assured the western Odisha people to fulfil their demand.
On July 30, 2021, the Centre shelved the project by saying the project was operationally unjustified. However, The Odisha Rail Infrastructure Development Limited (ORIDL), a joint venture company of the Odisha government (51 percent) and ministry of railways (49 percent), had identified the project for development.
Later the Odisha government had given their consent to bear the cost of land. Vaishnaw had told the Rajya Sabha that the proposal was taken up for examination. Towards the end of 2021, the ministry of railways had accorded in-principle approval for taking up pre-investment activities for this new line project.
Before Padampur byelection last year, Odisha commerce and transport minister Tukuni Sahu had written a letter to the Centre demanding sanction of Bargarh Road-Nuapada Road new line. She had accused the Centre for not considering the people’s demand.
Bargarh MP Suresh Pujari said the project will solve many problems of people from his area. “After completion of this project, it can touch tourist places like Nrusinghanath Temple while connecting Bargarh with Nuapada. After rail communication, this place will get more tourists and devotees,” he added.
He said this project was the dream of people from his area. This rail line will cut travel time to Raipur and Bhubaneswar and boost business, he added.
The centre has also notified Talcher-Angul new line (16.5km) as a special railway project. According to railway sources, the new railway line with ‘Y’ connection at Talcher will reduce traffic congestion and help in smooth running of freight trains without more hassle. This line will act as a bypass and reduce traffic congestion for coal laden trains.