101.26 KM

101.26-Km Railway Line to Connect Jajpur-Keonjhar Road with Dhamra Port; DPR Prepared, Land Acquisition Moves Ahead

By Somanath Nayak | Jajpur | September 25, 2026

Jajpur: The proposed 101.26-km new broad-gauge railway line connecting Jajpur-Keonjhar Road with Dhamra Port via Jajpur and Aradi has moved forward, with the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared and steps for land acquisition initiated.

The proposed railway line is expected to strengthen connectivity between Jajpur and Bhadrak and provide a rail link between industrial areas in the region and Dhamra Port. The project has been under consideration for several years and has also been discussed in Parliament.

According to government documents, the Ministry of Railways had earlier undertaken a Final Location Survey for the proposed line. A parliamentary reply in March 2025 stated that the DPR had been prepared on the basis of the survey. The project was also identified as a proposed 101.26-km broad-gauge line under East Coast Railway.

In April 2026, the Ministry of Railways notified the project as a Special Railway Project and authorized the Land Acquisition Officer at Jajpur-Keonjhar Road to perform the functions of the competent authority for land acquisition under the Railways Act. A subsequent notification issued in September 2026 also authorized the Tahasildar, Chandbali, Bhadrak, for the relevant project area.

East Coast Railway has also taken steps related to land acquisition and associated works for the proposed line. The project route is planned to pass through Jajpur and Aradi before reaching Dhamra Port.

The proposed line is expected to improve rail access to locations of religious and tourism significance, including Jajpur, Aradi and areas connected with Bhitarkanika, while also strengthening freight connectivity between industrial areas and Dhamra Port. The Ministry of Railways has previously stated that the project is intended to enhance freight movement and passenger connectivity and provide a direct link between industrial clusters, coal fields and Dhamra Port.

Jajpur MP Dr. Rabindra Narayan Behera has been pursuing the project with the Railway Ministry and Railway Board, according to reports. The MP has also raised the project in Parliament. However, the project's progress involves decisions and actions by the Ministry of Railways and other government authorities.

The latest developments indicate that the project has moved beyond the survey stage, with the DPR prepared and land-acquisition-related administrative processes underway. Further progress will depend on the completion of the required land acquisition, approvals and subsequent implementation procedures.

New Line To Connect Industrial Hub Kalinga Nagar To Dhamra Port Via Jajpur Town And Aradi; DPR Ready, Land Acquisition Process Begins

By Somanath Nayak | Jajpur | Sept 25, 2026

Jajpur: The long-pending dream of Jajpur residents for a direct railway line from Jajpur Road to Dhamra is finally moving towards reality, thanks to the continuous initiative of Jajpur MP Shri Rabindra Narayan Behera.

The proposed 101.26-km new broad gauge railway line will connect Jajpur-Keonjhar Road with Dhamra Port via Jajpur town and Aradi Pitha, fulfilling a more than decade-old demand of the people of Jajpur, Bhadrak and Kendrapara districts.

*MP's Delhi Mission Successful*

According to sources, MP Dr. Behera has been rigorously pursuing the project with the Ministry of Railways and the Railway Board for the last several months. During his recent visits to New Delhi, he held detailed discussions with the Chairman, Railway Board regarding the status of the project and the urgent need for budgetary approval.

Sources said that following his intervention, the project has seen major progress. The Ministry of Railways had earlier sanctioned Rs 2.4 crore for the Final Location Survey (FLS) and now the Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared and submitted by the East Coast Railway (ECoR) to the Railway Board.

In a major milestone, a Central Government notification in April 2026 has authorized the Land Acquisition Officer at Jajpur-Keonjhar Road to undertake land acquisition for this special railway project, indicating ground-level movement.

*Why This Line Is A Game Changer*

*1. Religious & Tourism Boost:* The line will provide direct rail connectivity to Maa Biraja Temple in Jajpur, one of the 51 Shakti Peethas, Baba Akhandalamani Dham at Aradi, Bhitarkanika National Park and Chandbali.

*2. Economic Corridor:* It will act as an economic corridor between mineral-rich Sukinda-Keonjhar-Joda and the industrial hub of Kalinga Nagar to Dhamra Port. It will decongest the busy Howrah-Chennai trunk route and help in faster transportation of iron ore and finished steel products.

*3. Part of Purvoday Vision:* The project is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Purvoday Vision for Eastern India.

Grand Welcome At Bhubaneswar Airport

After successfully getting the railway budget approved, Jajpur MP Shri Rabi Narayan Behera arrived at Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar yesterday.

He was given a warm welcome by MP Representative of Jajpur Shri Jitendra Biswal and senior reporter Somanath Nayak, who appreciated him for achieving this great milestone for the district.

Locals have termed this as a historic achievement for Jajpur's development and expressed gratitude to the MP for his dedicated efforts.