125 years to Odisha’s first privately owned railway: Know all the about the PLR built in 1900

The Waltair Division of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) celebrated the 125th anniversary of the Paralakhemundi Light Railway (PLR) in the Gajapati district on Tuesday, honouring one of Odisha’s oldest rail networks.

Built in 1900 by Maharaja Goura Chandra Gajapati Narayan Dev II, the erstwhile king of Paralakhemundi, the 40-km Naupada-Paralakhemundi narrow gauge line was Odisha’s first privately owned railway. Today, it spans 51 km to Gunupur, connecting 10 stations and serving as a lifeline for Gajapati district residents.

A Journey Through Time

The PLR’s story began in 1898 when the Maharaja proposed linking Paralakhemundi to Naupada. After two years of construction, the line opened on April 1, 1900 and by 1931, his son, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Narayan Dev, expanded it to Gunupur.

Management shifted to Bengal Nagpur Railway in 1934, and decades later, public demand spurred gauge conversion. After surveys in the 1950s–60s, broad gauge services resumed in 2010, with the full Naupada-Gunupur corridor opening in 2011.

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Modernization on Track

To mark the anniversary, ECOR illuminated stations, hosted competitions for schoolchildren, and launched campaigns highlighting the PLR’s heritage.

A special ceremony at Paralakhemundi Station saw senior officials and locals honor the Maharaja’s legacy. The Rail Users Group donated historic photographs of the royal family and proposed restoring the station’s old building while adding an art gallery.

Under the Rs 16.4 crore Amrit Bharat Station Scheme, Paralakhemundi Station is being transformed into a modern hub. Upgrades include a 12-meter footbridge, passenger lifts, premium waiting halls, and Divyangjan-friendly toilets.

Designers are incorporating elements of the Maharaja’s palace into the station’s architecture, blending tradition with eco-friendly lighting and expanded parking.

Community and Heritage Hand in Hand

School competitions themed ‘Virasat Se Vikas Tak’ (From Heritage to Development) were held to mark the railway’s cultural and economic impact. Essay writing, painting, and elocution events engaged students, while audio jingles and brochures educated the public about the PLR’s history.

With redevelopment work 70% complete, officials aim to finish the remaining projects, including landscaping and commercial zones, by the end of 2025.