Rayagada, July 6 {UDN}: The proposed Rayagada–Gopalpur railway line has received approval. During a high-level meeting held recently, the Railway Board gave its final clearance for the new rail project. The Railway Department plans to connect the Gopalpur line with the Therubali–Gunupur railway line at Ramanaguda Station, creating a direct link to the industrial corridor. The survey has already been completed, and the 197-km railway line will include 14 stations.
The Railway Department had first conducted a survey for the Rayagada–Gopalpur railway line in 2006–07. Following the progress of the Gunupur–Therubali railway project, the department has now given the green signal for this new line as well. To reduce construction costs, it has been decided to build the new line from Ramanaguda to Gopalpur instead of starting from Rayagada. As a result, the planned rail route has been shortened from 250 km to 197 km.
Meetings between railway officials and revenue authorities from the three districts of Ganjam, Gajapati, and Rayagada have already been held regarding land acquisition and project implementation.
Major Benefits of the Project
The railway line will pass through Launguda, Akhusingh, Padmapur, Gumuda, and finally connect to Ramanaguda.
Ramanaguda will become a tri-junction, linking the new line with the Gunupur–Therubali railway route.
This will establish a new industrial corridor connecting Gopalpur Port with Therubali, Visakhapatnam, and Raipur.
The project is expected to significantly improve the social and economic conditions of the region.
It will also fulfill the long-standing demand of the people of Padmapur for railway connectivity.
The estimated cost of the Gopalpur–Rayagada railway project is around ₹849 crore.
The new railway line will benefit 158 villages, including:
98 villages in Ganjam district
28 villages in Gajapati district
32 villages in Rayagada district
Approximately 817 hectares of land will be acquired for the project.
Once operational, the railway line will enable iron ore and bauxite from Kalahandi, Koraput, Rayagada, and Bastar and Dantewada districts of Chhattisgarh to be transported more quickly to Visakhapatnam and Gopalpur ports, boosting industrial growth and exports.
The project is also expected to promote tourism by improving connectivity to popular destinations such as Taptapani, Mahendragiri, Maa Taratarini Temple, Badanala, Maa Majhighariani Temple, and Gopalpur Beach, contributing to the region’s overall development.