The Indian Railways has begun the final location survey (FLS) for a new railway line between Angul and Nayagarh town via Narasinghpur-Kantilo-Khandapada, and a chord line between Khurda town and Kaipadar road in Odisha. The FLS for the proposed 120 km project was sanctioned on 07 February, 2024. The work order for execution of FLS and preparation of detailed project report (DPR) was issued on 08 April, 2024.

The survey for finalising the alignment is in progress and the DPR will be submitted to the Railway Board once completed. The new line will provide rail connectivity to the Nilamadhab Temple at Kantilo, and assist in promoting nature tourism besides extending rail connectivity to unexplored reserve forests. Moreover, the railway connectivity to the region will help in  the creation of a new market for brass and bell metal craft at Kantilo and Khandapada areas.

Apart from this, the railway line will facilitate freight movement of coal to power plants and ports, thus boosting the economy. The proposed new line will merge with the ongoing Khurda-Balangir line at Nayagarh town station, and take off from Khurda town station to Kaipadar road station in Khurda road-Vizianagaram main line. It will serve as a bypass line for freight trains bypassing Bhubaneswar and Cuttack. The Railway Board has sanctioned Rs three crore for the final location survey of the railway line.