Bhubaneswar, Jul 15: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday hailed the Cabinet’s approval for the doubling of the Paradip–Haridaspur railway line, describing it as a transformative step for Odisha’s rail infrastructure and local economy.

In a post on X, Pradhan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for sanctioning the 74-km project, which carries an estimated cost of Rs2,542 crore. He said the initiative would accelerate development under the government’s Purvodaya Mission, aimed at strengthening eastern India’s industrial and transport backbone.

ପାରାଦୀପ- ହରିଦାସପୁର ରେଳ ଲାଇନର ଦୋହରୀକରଣ (୭୪ କିମି) ପ୍ରକଳ୍ପକୁ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର କ୍ୟାବିନେଟ୍ ମଞ୍ଜୁରୀ ପ୍ରଦାନ କରିଥିବାରୁ ମାନ୍ୟବର ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @narendramodi ଏବଂ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ରେଳ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @AshwiniVaishnaw ଙ୍କୁ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ ଜଣାଉଛି । ପ୍ରାୟ ୨୫୪୨ କୋଟି ଟଙ୍କା ବ୍ୟୟରେ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକାରୀ ହେବାକୁ ଥିବା ଏହି…

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) July 15, 2026

The doubling of the line is expected to significantly enhance rail traffic capacity in the Haridaspur–Paradip section, easing the movement of both passenger and freight trains. Officials noted that the project will particularly benefit Paradip Port, boosting import-export operations and coastal cargo transport.

Pradhan emphasised that the project would not only improve logistics but also generate employment and drive socio-economic growth. “This project will give new momentum to cargo handling targets at Paradip Port and play a vital role in Odisha’s development,” he said.
Also Read: Dharmendra Pradhan Emphasises Blue Economy Vision for Odisha

The Cabinet’s decision comes amid a broader push to improve connectivity to industrial and port hubs in eastern India. The doubling is expected to reduce congestion, improve logistics efficiency, and support faster evacuation of minerals, industrial goods, and agricultural produce.

Officials added that the project aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which seeks to integrate multimodal transport networks nationwide. For Odisha, the move is seen as a boost to industrial corridors and port-led development, reinforcing the state’s role in India’s economic growth trajectory.