CCEA approves railway capacity augmentation in Odisha

The central government on Wednesday approved a project for railroad capacity augmentation between Budhapank and Salegaon via Rajathgarh railway line located in Odisha at a total cost of Rs.1,172.92 crore.

The approval for the railroad capacity augmentation was given by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) during its meeting held here.

The project envisages laying of third and fourth railway line between Budhapank and Salegaon along the Rajathgarh rail line.

According to the CCEA, both the lines would be laid on a stretch of 85 km each with a total cost of Rs.1,172.92 crore.

"The project is likely to be completed in the next three years during 12th and 13th Plan Period," the CCEA was quoted in a statement.

"Multiple lines on this railway line will greatly ease the ever increasing freight traffic between these sections, thereby increasing the revenue of railways."

The project is expected to benefit the districts of Angul, Dhenkanal and Cuttack in Odisha. It will also ease traffic congestion between Mahanadi coal fields to Paradip and Vishakhapatnam ports.

Furthermore, traffic originating from the several power plants and other coal based industries in the area will be benefited out of the new lines.

The Budhapank junction is located on Sambalpur-Angul-Cuttack section, while Salegaon falls on Angul-Nergundi line.