Railways / Dharmendra Pradhan Thanks PM Modi, Vaishnaw for Rs6,528‑Cr Kharagpur–Jharsuguda Rail Line

New Delhi/Bhubaneswar, Sept 9: Sambalpur MP and former Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday welcomed the Union Cabinet’s approval of the fourth railway line between Kharagpur and Jharsuguda (Bagdehi) worth the Rs6,528‑crore, describing it as a transformative step for eastern India’s connectivity and industrial growth.

In a post on X, Pradhan expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for their continued support for strengthening the railway infrastructure in the region.

ଖଡ଼ଗପୁର-ଝାରସୁଗୁଡ଼ା (ବାଗଡ଼ିହି) ମଧ୍ୟରେ ୩୬୭ କିମି ବିଶିଷ୍ଟ ୪ର୍ଥ ରେଳ ଲାଇନ୍ ପ୍ରକଳ୍ପକୁ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର କ୍ୟାବିନେଟ୍ ମଞ୍ଜୁରୀ ମିଳିଥିବାରୁ ମାନନୀୟ ପ୍ରଧାନମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ ଶ୍ରୀ @narendramodi ଓ କେନ୍ଦ୍ର ରେଳ ମନ୍ତ୍ରୀ @AshwiniVaishnaw ଙ୍କୁ ଧନ୍ୟବାଦ । ପ୍ରାୟ ୬,୫୨୮ କୋଟି ଟଙ୍କାର ଏହି ଗୁରୁତ୍ୱପୂର୍ଣ୍ଣ ପ୍ରକଳ୍ପ ଓଡ଼ିଶାର ସୁନ୍ଦରଗଡ଼,… pic.twitter.com/jH2rA1NUJ7

— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) September 9, 2026

Pradhan said the 367‑km project would link eight districts across Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand, including Sundargarh, Sambalpur and Jharsuguda in Odisha. The new line is expected to strengthen rail infrastructure, ease freight movement, and accelerate industrial and commercial activities in the region.

Officials estimate the project will generate nearly 125 lakh person‑days of employment, providing a significant boost to local livelihoods. It is also projected to save more than Rs 967 crore annually in transportation costs, while contributing to environmental protection through reduced emissions and improved efficiency.

Pradhan noted that the initiative would give fresh momentum to Odisha’s growth trajectory and reinforce its contribution to India’s development journey. He said the expansion of rail infrastructure in the coal belt and industrial hubs would facilitate smoother logistics, reduce bottlenecks, and strengthen socio‑economic foundations in western Odisha.

The Cabinet’s approval is part of a broader push to modernize railway infrastructure and support industrial corridors across eastern India. With enhanced connectivity, the project is expected to deliver long‑term benefits to industries, trade, and communities in the three states.