Odisha Minister Reassures State on Railway Division Transfer Amid Growing Concerns
In the midst of escalating controversy surrounding the proposed transfer of the Ichchapuram-Palasa railway section from the Khurda Road division to the newly planned Visakhapatnam division under the South Coast Railway (SCoR), Odisha's Commerce and Transport Minister, Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, stepped forward on Saturday to provide firm assurances. The minister categorically stated that this administrative reorganization will in no way compromise the interests or financial standing of Odisha.
Protecting State Interests and Ensuring Connectivity
"Protecting Odisha’s interests and strengthening railway connectivity remains our utmost priority," declared Minister Jena. He elaborated further, emphasizing that "not even an inch of Odisha’s railway track will be ceded to any other state." Addressing specific economic concerns, the minister pointed out that since the Palasa-Ichchhapuram section lacks a major freight transport station, the transfer is expected to have a negligible impact on the state's revenue streams.
Upcoming Rayagada Division and Revenue Security
In a significant development, Minister Jena confirmed that the long-awaited Rayagada railway division is set to become operational very soon. "Most critically, the highly lucrative KK Line (Kottavalasa-Koraput-Kirandul) will be integrated into this new division," he noted. This strategic inclusion is designed to ensure that the revenue base of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) remains robust and undisturbed by the administrative changes elsewhere.
Official sources within the railway administration have echoed the minister's stance, reiterating that the ECoR will not suffer any financial losses as a result of this transfer. Their statements reinforce the government's position that the reorganization is primarily administrative and not detrimental to Odisha's economic interests.
Record-Breaking Performance of East Coast Railway
Meanwhile, the East Coast Railway has reported an exceptional performance for the fiscal year 2025-26. The zone successfully transported a staggering 286.3 million tonnes of freight, surpassing the previous year's figures by an impressive 27 million tonnes. This achievement solidifies ECoR's position as the top freight-carrying zone across the entire Indian Railways network.
Financially, earnings from freight operations soared beyond Rs 29,456 crore, driven by the extensive movement of essential commodities such as coal, iron ore, steel, cement, fertilizers, and food grains across the nation. The passenger segment also witnessed substantial growth, with 97.64 million travelers opting for ECoR services, resulting in higher revenue generation. Railway officials attributed this growth to increasing public trust in the zone's cleaner, safer, and more reliable services.
Rising Protests and Demands from South Odisha
However, the proposed transfer has not been without opposition. On Saturday, voices of dissent grew louder in Berhampur as the South Odisha Railway Development Joint Action Committee organized urgent protests. The committee has formally petitioned the Ministry of Railways, demanding the immediate removal of the Palasa-Ichchapuram section from the jurisdiction of the South Coast Railway Zone.
In addition to this primary demand, the action committee has put forth several other requests aimed at strengthening Odisha's railway infrastructure. These include the establishment of a dedicated railway division at Berhampur and the reallocation of key stations such as Balasore, Baripada, Jharsuguda, and Rourkela under the administrative control of the East Coast Railway. These demands highlight the ongoing regional tensions and the deep-seated concerns regarding railway management and economic sovereignty within the state.
