Indian Railways is actively working on the Puri-Konark rail line project, which is considered a vital component in enhancing rail connectivity along the coastal region of Odisha. This initiative aims to connect Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Konark through a proposed coastal rail triangle.

Project Approval and Implementation

The railway board granted approval for this project on February 19, 2024, and it was designated as a special project on March 7, 2024. The East Coast Railway is responsible for executing this project.

Details of the 32 km Rail Line

According to Deepak Raut, the Chief Public Relations Officer of East Coast Railway, the proposed 32-kilometer rail line will significantly enhance religious tourism and pilgrimage connectivity in the state. This new line will establish direct rail access between the Jagannath Temple in Puri and the Sun Temple in Konark, which are currently 35 kilometers apart without direct rail service.

Benefits for Pilgrims and Tourists

Railway officials noted that the new rail line will provide substantial convenience to millions of devotees and tourists visiting the Jagannath Temple and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Konark Sun Temple each year.

Land Acquisition and Budget Allocation

Efforts are underway to expedite land acquisition and obtain necessary legal approvals for the project. To facilitate this, the budget for the fiscal year 2026-27 has allocated ₹138.38 crores, aimed at accelerating construction and land acquisition processes.

Land Acquisition Details

The new rail line will traverse through the Puri and Gop tehsils, requiring the acquisition of approximately 521.48 acres of land. This includes 438.81 acres of private land from 36 villages and 82.67 acres of government land from 33 villages.

Environmental Considerations

Rail officials have assured that the project will not impact any forest land. The route selection has been made with environmental sensitivity in mind.