The new 80 km Boinda–Boudh railway line will link Angul to the Balangir–Khurda corridor, boosting Odisha’s coal transport and regional connectivity
OdishaPlus Bureau
The Union government has revealed a new strategic railway line that will link Boinda in the Angul district to the Balangir–Khurda corridor via Boudh, covering approximately 80 km. This initiative is part of the government’s efforts to enhance the railway network in Odisha. This announcement was made following a high-level meeting between Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and Odisha MPs on Tuesday. As reported by The Times of India, the proposed railway line is expected to bolster connections between coal-producing areas and port regions. Sources indicate that the central government has allocated nearly Rs 90,000 crore for new railway lines, doubling existing lines, and capacity enhancement projects in the state over the past decade. Previous reports have mentioned that 59 railway stations in Odisha are currently undergoing modernization under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, with an estimated investment of Rs 2,379 crore.
The redevelopment efforts encompass improved access to stations, elevated approach roads, upgraded circulating areas, modern waiting halls, escalators, lifts, facilities for Divyangjan, enhanced passenger information systems, and commercial spaces. Furthermore, Odisha has received over Rs 25,000 crore in the past year for eight new railway projects, in addition to extensive multi-tracking and flyover initiatives aimed at alleviating congestion and enhancing both freight and passenger transport. The emphasis on Boudh comes just months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Sonepur–Purunakatak line on June 20, which connects the district headquarters to the national rail network for the first time. This launch, part of projects exceeding Rs 2,750 crore, represents a significant achievement in Odisha’s connectivity efforts and addresses a long-standing regional demand.