The first royal railway station of Odisha: Know its history, legacy, heritage status

Nestled at the base of the iconic Mahendragiri Hills, the Paralakhemundi railway station stands as a testament to Odisha's rich rail heritage.

Established in 1899 under the patronage of Maharaja Goura Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo II, this station not only marked the inception of the state's first dedicated railway line but also became the first royal railway station of Odisha.

Inception and Historical Significance

In the late 19th century, Maharaja Goura Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deo II envisioned connecting his princely state to the broader railway network. He materialized this with the establishment of the Parlakimedi Light Railway (PLR) in 1899, linking Paralakhemundi to Naupada (now in Andhra Pradesh) over a stretch of approximately 40 kilometers.

.@RailMinIndia #ECoRHeritage
Parlakemidi Light Railway (PLR) was built by the Raja Gourachandra Gajapati Narayan Deo 2nd.
East Coast Rly Company made rail line up to Naupada in 1894. Raja decided to connect his capital with Naupada. Opened in 1900 at Rs 7 laks.@DRMWaltairECoR pic.twitter.com/1eOh1gLoJq

— East Coast Railway (@EastCoastRail) July 14, 2021

The line commenced operations on April 1, 1900, facilitating enhanced trade and mobility for the region's inhabitants. By 1931, the railway extended to Gunupur, further integrating the southern parts of Odisha. ​

Architectural Legacy and Royal Patronage

The station's architecture reflects the grandeur of its royal origins. The original structure, characterized by its colonial design elements, has withstood the test of time with minimal renovations.

Notably, the station featured a wooden ticket counter, a goods shed, and the station master's office, all emblematic of the era's architectural ethos.

Artifacts such as signaling equipment, electrical devices, scales, uniforms, insignias, German silver cutlery, and royal embellishments, once integral to the station, are now housed in the Narrow Gauge Railway Museum in Nagpur. ​

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Modernization Efforts and Heritage Preservation

In recent years, Indian Railways initiated modernization projects to upgrade the station's infrastructure. The new building, modeled after the Gajapati Palace, is constructed on a raised platform, overshadowing the existing heritage structure.

While these developments aim to enhance passenger amenities, concerns have arisen regarding the preservation of the original edifice. ​

The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)'s Odisha chapter had penned a letter to Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, emphasizing the station's historical and cultural significance. The organization proposed converting the old station master's building into a museum to showcase the rich legacy of the PLR. ​

125th Anniversary Celebrations

On April 1, 2025, the Waltair Division of the East Coast Railway commemorated the 125th anniversary of the Paralakhemundi Light Railway with a series of events at the historic station. 

The celebrations included competitions for school children, such as essay writing, drawing, painting, and elocution, centered around the theme ‘Virasat Se Vikas Tak’ (From Heritage to Development).

Community and Cultural Significance

Beyond its architectural and historical value, the Paralakhemundi railway station holds profound cultural significance.

During the 1914 annual session of Utkal Sammilani, an organization dedicated to addressing the concerns of the Oriya people, the formation of a separate Orissa province was deliberated. 

A special train was dispatched to Naupada to bring Utkal Sammilani members to Paralakhemundi, underscoring the station's role in pivotal regional events. ​

As such, the Paralakhemundi railway station is more than a mere transit point, as it is the confluence of royal vision, architectural splendor, and historical evolution.