Decade-Old Railway Projects in Southern Odisha Finally See Movement
The long-stalled railway connectivity projects linking Jeypore with Nabarangpur and Malkangiri in southern Odisha have finally gained substantial momentum. The Koraput administration has initiated the crucial process of compensation disbursement for land acquisition, nearly ten years after these projects were first announced in the Union Budget of 2016-17.
Details of the Twin Railway Lines
The Jeypore-Nabarangpur railway line will span approximately 42 kilometers, while the more extensive Jeypore-Malkangiri line will cover nearly 130 kilometers. These projects represent long-standing demands from the region, aimed at significantly improving transportation links, boosting trade activities, and enhancing access to remote tribal areas upon completion.
Compensation Distribution Underway
Compensation distribution has commenced in Jeypore tehsil, where Tehsildar Sabyasachi Jena confirmed that Rs 37 crore has been received for 15 affected villages. "Land acquisition for the Jeypore-Nabarangpur line will occur in at least eight villages of Jeypore tehsil, while seven villages will be affected for the Jeypore-Malkangiri railway line," Jena explained. "Payments are currently being processed in Tatibeda, Majurmunda, and Badakaudi villages, with other villages to follow shortly."
Beyond Jeypore, land acquisition will also extend to Borigumma and Boipariguda tehsils within the Koraput district, indicating the project's broad geographical scope.
Historical Delays and Current Challenges
Despite this recent progress, the projects have faced considerable delays over the years. Frequent transfers of special land acquisition officers and persistent staff shortages have resulted in uneven advancement on the ground, slowing implementation.
The scale of land acquisition required is substantial:
- Jeypore-Malkangiri Line: Will cover 42 villages in Malkangiri district and 29 villages in Koraput, totaling approximately 1,056.6155 acres.
- Jeypore-Nabarangpur Line: Requires acquisition of around 699.784 acres across six villages in Nabarangpur district and 21 villages in Koraput.
Community and Official Perspectives
Bidyut Mohanty, a Koraput-based activist, expressed cautious optimism: "Connecting Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts with railway lines has been a persistent demand of the local population. It is encouraging that after years of delays, compensation payment has finally begun."
Koraput Collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan highlighted the projects' transformative potential: "Once completed, these twin railway lines will promote tourism, drive industrialization, strengthen the tribal economy, and provide vastly improved transportation options for the region."
Financial Framework and Cost Sharing
According to official records, a cost-sharing Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2017 between the Odisha state government and the Ministry of Railways. Under this agreement:
- The state government will bear the entire land acquisition cost.
- For the Jeypore-Nabarangpur line (estimated at Rs 750 crore), the state will contribute 50% of the project cost.
- For the Jeypore-Malkangiri line (estimated at Rs 2,700 crore), the state will cover 25% of the project cost.
This financial arrangement underscores the collaborative effort between state and central authorities to bring these critical infrastructure projects to fruition, promising enhanced connectivity and economic development for southern Odisha's tribal regions.
