Bhubaneswar, Jun 23: The ambitious Haridaspur–Vizianagaram Fourth Railway Line Project, spanning 440.16 km and linking Odisha with Andhra Pradesh, was reviewed at Lok Seva Bhawan here in Odisha on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Dr. Arabinda Kumar Padhee, Additional Chief Secretary, Revenue & Disaster Management Department, officials said.

Focus on Land Acquisition

According to the official sources, land acquisition and revenue-related issues were discussed in the meeting, with Padhee directing officials to expedite the process while ensuring proper rehabilitation and resettlement of affected families. He stressed that the interests of displaced households must remain a top priority.

Project Details

Proposed at an estimated cost of Rs7,683.79 crore, the project will be implemented under East Coast Railway. It is expected to ease congestion along the busy Howrah–Chennai corridor, improve freight movement, and enhance punctuality of passenger trains.

Industrial and Economic Impact

The new line will benefit Odisha’s mining and industrial sectors by facilitating smoother transport of coal, iron ore, bauxite, steel, and aluminium. It will also strengthen connectivity with major ports such as Dhamra, Paradip, and Gopalpur, thereby accelerating industrialization and boosting trade and employment.

Land and Families Affected

In Odisha, the project requires acquisition of 102.644 hectares of land across Jajpur, Khordha, and Ganjam districts. Of this, 44.576 hectares are in Khordha and 55.462 hectares in Ganjam. Approximately 452 households will be affected, including 136 in Khordha and 316 in Ganjam.
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Coordination and Rehabilitation

The meeting emphasized early disposal of land acquisition cases, compensation disbursement, forest clearance, and rehabilitation measures. Padhee directed close coordination among district administrations, the Revenue & Disaster Management Department, and the Forest & Environment Department to ensure seamless land transfer while safeguarding affected families.

Upon completion, the project is expected to substantially enhance railway capacity and contribute to Odisha’s industrial development, trade, tourism, and job creation.