Mayurbhanj Collector Hemakanta Say has directed the tehsildars of Sarashkana and Bangiriposi to initiate land acquisition for the broadgauge railway line between Budhamara and Chakulia within one month.

A preliminary gazette notification covers the 59.96 km project, with 16.20 km lying in Mayurbhanj district, affecting 23 villages across the two tehsils. To ensure timely compensation, the administration will correct Column-2 of the Record of Rights (RoR) suo motu as per revenue laws. The Collector urged local residents to cooperate with the process, emphasising the project’s importance for regional development and improved railway connectivity.

This project, estimated at Rs 1,639 crore, is part of three new railway lines in north Odisha, for which President Droupadi Murmu laid foundation stones on 07 December, 2024. The other two lines are Badampahar–Keonjhar (82.06 km, Rs 2,107 crore) and Bangiriposi–Gorumahisani (85.6 km, Rs 2,549 crore).