TV
In a major boost to Odisha’s railway infrastructure, the Ministry of Railways has sanctioned Rs 149.32 crore for constructing a fourth line between Ranital Link Cabin and Bhadrak station.
The 5.06 km stretch falls on the vital Howrah–Chennai High-Density Network (HDN) and is expected to significantly decongest the busy freight and passenger corridor.
According to a statement from East Coast Railway (ECoR), the sanctioned line will help separate port-bound freight trains headed to Dhamra and Paradip from the mainline. This segregation is expected to enhance the speed, punctuality, and reliability of passenger, mail, and express train operations along the Howrah–Chennai trunk route.
It also added that the section between Ranital and Bhadrak currently experiences high traffic load, with freight and coaching trains competing for track access. The addition of a dedicated fourth line will allow smoother operations, reduce detention times, and enable better time-table adherence.
Part of Wider Upgrades on Howrah–Chennai Corridor
The Ranital–Bhadrak development follows a similar major approval earlier this month. On July 11, the Railway Ministry had sanctioned the Cuttack–Nergundi fourth line, along with a rail flyover and two new bridges over the Mahanadi and Birupa rivers, at an estimated cost of Rs 802.9 crore.
That 15.99 km stretch, also part of the HDN, is a critical bottleneck where Paradeep Port traffic intersects with the mainline at Cuttack.
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The Cuttack–Nergundi project is designed to divert port-bound and Talcher-linked freight trains, freeing up mainline space for passenger services between Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, and beyond. The new line and flyover will be equipped with Kavach safety systems and 2x25 kV electrification, enabling speeds of up to 130 kmph.
Notably, the Bhadrak and Cuttack-based fourth line projects are part of a broader push by ECoR to modernize rail operations across Odisha. Both schemes align with the Centre’s long-term goal of easing congestion on high-density corridors and improving last-mile connectivity to ports and industrial zones in eastern India.
