Parliament Question: Delay in Balangir–Naupada railway line and its impact on development of Western Odisha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1709 ANSWERED ON 13.02.2026 DELAY IN BALANGIR–NAUPADA RAILWAY LINE AND ITS IMPACT ON DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN ODISHA 1709 SHRI NIRANJAN BISHI: Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state: (a) whether Government is aware that the final location survey for the Balangir–Naupada railway line project has already been completed; (b) if so, the date of completion; (c) whether the survey has received all statutory approvals; (d) whether the delay in the project has adversely affected connectivity and economic development of Western Odisha; (e) if so, the assessment made in this regard; and (f) the remedial steps proposed? ANSWER MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW) (a) to (f): Final Location Survey for Balangir – Nuapada (Nawapara Road) via Patnagarh (100 Km) new line has been completed and Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared. After preparation of DPR, sanctioning of project requires consultation with various stake-holders including State Governments and necessary approvals viz. appraisal of NITI Aayog, Ministry of Finance etc. As sanctioning of projects is a continuous and dynamic process, exact timelines cannot be fixed. Sanction of any railway project depends upon many parameters/factors which include the following:  Anticipated traffic projections and Remunerativeness of the proposed route  First and last mile connectivity provided by the project  Connection of missing links and providing additional route  Augmentation of congested/saturated lines  Demands raised by State Governments/Central Ministries/Public representatives,  Railway’s operational requirements  Socio-economic considerations  Overall availability of funds ***** §