Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on 09 September, 2025 has announced the Centre’s vision for a strategic railway link connecting Boinda in Angul to the Balangir-Khurda line via Boudh, spanning around 80 km. He said the project will act as a crucial bridge in Odisha’s expanding rail network.

The announcement followed a high-level meeting at Pradhan’s New Delhi residence, attended by Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw and several Odisha MPs, to deliberate on the state’s railway infrastructure and transport priorities. Minister Pradhan stressed that “special focus is being placed on enhancing civic amenities and rail connectivity in Odisha’s coal-producing regions.”

Key projects reviewed included the Jharsuguda-Barkote line, AnugulTalcher new line, Bargarh Road-Nuapada Road-Raipur corridor, Talcher-Bimalagarh line, Khurda-Balangir line, Sambalpur-Jarapada third and fourth lines, and the coal corridor from Jarapada to Tentuloi via Budhapank. “These initiatives will link coal belts to port areas, streamlining freight movement and accelerating Odisha’s industrial growth,” he added. The Minister further underlined that robust railway infrastructure is vital to achieving a “developed Odisha” under the Centre’s ‘Purvodaya’ initiative.