Indian Railways Plans Four-Line Coastal Corridor in Odisha to Decongest Howrah-Chennai Route
During a visit to Odisha on April 19, 2026, Indian Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the construction of a four-line railway corridor along the state's coast, stretching from Balasore to Brahmapur. This major infrastructure initiative aims to alleviate severe congestion on the Howrah-Chennai route, which ranks among India's busiest rail lines alongside the Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai corridors. The project will fall under the administrative jurisdiction of the East Coast Railway zone. Additionally, Vaishnaw stated that all 30 districts of Odisha are being integrated into the rail network to foster inclusive development and connect remote interior regions. The minister also highlighted a special focus on strengthening connectivity in Western Odisha, specifically along the Junagarh-Nabarangpur-Jeypore-Malkangiri-Bhadrachalam corridor. Furthermore, 59 railway stations in the state are undergoing redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Vaishnaw inspected the ongoing upgrades at Bhubaneswar railway station, directing officials to expedite work on facilities, accessibility, and circulation areas to ensure timely completion. These transformative measures are designed to strengthen regional connectivity, support economic growth, and better integrate Odisha with national freight and passenger networks.
Wire timeline
Indian Railways Plans Four-Line Coastal Corridor in Odisha to Decongest Howrah-Chennai Route
During a visit to Odisha on April 19, 2026, Indian Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the construction of a four-line railway corridor along the state's coast, stretching from Balasore to Brahmapur. This major infrastructure initiative aims to alleviate severe congestion on the Howrah-Chennai route, which ranks among India's busiest rail lines alongside the Delhi-Howrah and Delhi-Mumbai corridors. The project will fall under the administrative jurisdiction of the East Coast Railway zone. Additionally, Vaishnaw stated that all 30 districts of Odisha are being integrated into the rail network to foster inclusive development and connect remote interior regions. The minister also highlighted a special focus on strengthening connectivity in Western Odisha, specifically along the Junagarh-Nabarangpur-Jeypore-Malkangiri-Bhadrachalam corridor. Furthermore, 59 railway stations in the state are undergoing redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. Vaishnaw inspected the ongoing upgrades at Bhubaneswar railway station, directing officials to expedite work on facilities, accessibility, and circulation areas to ensure timely completion. These transformative measures are designed to strengthen regional connectivity, support economic growth, and better integrate Odisha with national freight and passenger networks.
The Indian Express