Odisha Railways Sanctions Fourth Line For Cuttack Nergundi Route
In Odisha, the Railway Ministry has sanctioned the construction of a fourth railway line on the 16-kilometer Cuttack-Nergundi route, an infrastructure project estimated at Rs 802.9 crore. This vital expansion, which includes an overbridge at Nergundi, is set to significantly enhance train operations and alleviate severe congestion on the crucial Howrah-Chennai mainline and the Cuttack-Paradip section.
The Cuttack-Nergundi section currently faces substantial congestion due to increased traffic originating from Paradip port, which intersects the mainline at Cuttack. Additionally, the absence of direct junction arrangements for Talcher-bound trains results in frequent delays caused by surface-level crossings. Railway sources indicate that the new fourth line and the accompanying overbridge are designed to decongest this critical corridor by segregating port-bound traffic from the mainline routes, particularly between Cuttack and Dhenkanal.
This strategic upgrade is expected to drastically reduce the detention time for passenger, Mail/Express, and freight trains operating to and from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. A railway official confirmed that the project will specifically alienate port traffic from mainline routes, accelerating the movement of essential commodities like coal, coke, minerals, and ores.
As part of the comprehensive project, two new bridges will be constructed across the Mahanadi and Birupa rivers. The entire new line, including the overbridge, will be equipped with the advanced Kavach safety features and a 2×25 KV electrified system, enabling a maximum permissible speed of 130 kmph. This development underscores the commitment to modernizing the rail transport network in one of Indian Railways’ busiest corridors, ensuring safer and more efficient connectivity.
