## Policy Summary: Gopalpur-Rairakhol Railway Line Inclusion
This policy addresses the proposed Gopalpur-Rairakhol railway line project and its connectivity to Phulbani, the district headquarters of Kandhamal. The project is being undertaken by Odisha Rail Infrastructure Development Limited (ORIDL), a joint venture of the Government of Odisha and the Ministry of Railways.
A Detailed Project Report (DPR) was initially prepared by ORIDL. However, the proposed alignment of the new line did not include Phulbani, which was in contravention of the In-Principle Approval (IPA) previously granted.
Consequently, the Ministry of Railways has directed ORIDL to revise the DPR to include Phulbani in the alignment. ORIDL has commenced survey work and DPR preparation considering the revised alignment.
The sanctioning of the project, following the finalization of the DPR, will require consultations with stakeholders, including State Governments, and necessary approvals such as appraisal by NITI Aayog and the Ministry of Finance. Due to the dynamic nature of project sanctioning, specific timelines for completion cannot be fixed at this time. Information regarding fund allocation for survey, land acquisition, or preliminary works for the next financial year is not explicitly detailed in this document.
Key Entities Referenced
Gopalpur-Rairakhol Railway Line: A proposed new railway line project in Odisha, India.
SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI: Member of Lok Sabha who asked the question about the railway line project.
RAILWAYS: The ministry responsible for the railway project.
Phulbani: The district headquarters of Kandhamal district in Odisha, which was initially excluded from the railway line project.
Kandhamal District: A district in Odisha, India, that is intended to be connected by the proposed railway line.
Odisha Rail Infrastructure Development Limited (ORIDL): A Joint Venture company of Government of Odisha and Ministry of Railways responsible for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Gopalpur Rairakhol new line project.
SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW: Minister of Railways, Information Broadcasting and Electronics Information Technology.
NITI Aayog: A policy think tank of the Government of India involved in the approval process for the railway project.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF RAILWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 645
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
INCLUSION OF GOPALPUR-RAIRAKHOL RAILWAY LINE
645. SHRI SUKANTA KUMAR PANIGRAHI:
Will the Minister of RAILWAYS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for new Railway line of
Gopalpur-Rairakhol has been submitted;
(b) if so, whether it includes Phulbani, the district headquarters of
Kandhamal;
(c) if not, the reasons for excluding Phulbani from the earlier DPR
despite in-principle approval by the Government;
(d) whether the Ministry has directed Odisha Rail Infrastructure
Development Limited (ORIDL) to revise the DPR and include Phulbani
in the alignment;
(e) if so, the details of the current status of the revised DPR, including
the timeline for its completion and submission to the Railway Board;
and
(f) whether any funds have been allocated or proposed for survey, land
acquisition or preliminary works for the project in the next financial
year and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF RAILWAYS, INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND
ELECTRONICS & INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
(SHRI ASHWINI VAISHNAW)
(a) to (f): Rail connectivity for Kandhamal District is proposed to be
provided by Rairakhol – Gopalpur new line project being taken up byOdisha Rail Infrastructure Development Limited (ORIDL), a Joint
Venture company of Government of Odisha and Ministry of Railways.
Detailed Project Report (DPR) for this new rail line was prepared by
ORIDL. However, the alignment of proposed new line was not passing
through Phulbani which was in contravention to the In-Principle
Approval (IPA) granted to ORIDL.
Accordingly, ORIDL has been advised to review the alignment of
Gopalpur – Rairakhol new rail line to include Phulbani. The survey
work & preparation of DPR considering the alignment via Phulbani is
taken up by ORIDL.
After firming up of Detailed Project Report, 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.
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