The Centre is planning to construct a double line on the Haridaspur-Paradip route for freight transportation, a matter that was discussed at the 89th meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG). The meeting, chaired by the joint secretary of department for promotion of industry and internal trade (DPIIT), was recently held to evaluate infrastructure projects in the road, railway and metro sectors.
According to the NPG discussion, the 74 km-long brownfield projects in Odisha will enhance freight transportation capacity and logistics efficiency. It will facilitate seamless coal transportation from Talcher coalfields to Paradip port while supporting industrial expansion in the Angul-Jharsuguda cluster.
The meeting focused on enhancing multimodal connectivity and logistics efficiency in alignment with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (PMGS NMP). The NPG evaluated eight projects, including two from Odisha.
According to the statement from the ministry of commerce and industry, these initiatives are expected to boost logistical efficiency, reduce travel times and deliver significant socio-economic benefits across regions.
The Haridaspur-Paradip new line project, sanctioned in 1996-97, was completed in 2020. This new line project took many years to take off after missing several deadlines. It brought Kendrapada district onto the railway map of the country.
It is an important line because it connects the mineral-rich Jajpur district with one of the major ports of the country, Paradip port. This line covers three districts – Kendrapada, Jagatsinghpur and Jajpur. It will cater to the movement of freight, export of finished products of steel plants and imported coking coal from Paradip to the industries.
Now, the Centre is planning to construct a double line to boost freight development on the line.
The NPG also discussed the construction of the fourth line from Nergundi to Cuttack with a flyover at Nergundi. The 15.99 km-long brownfield railway infrastructure project in Odisha aims to decongest existing rail lines, facilitate freight movement and ensure smoother operations along a key corridor serving Paradip port, Talcher coalfields and major steel and power industries.
