___________

Please help me fill the missing data in the table below. (The important data we need is the route kms for the red states in Column 2 as those states do not have a division HQ of that zone.)

Why it is important that SER have a division in Odisha?

• As we will show below SER, without a proper representation in Odisha, has badly messed up in Odisha.
• SER has neglected stations in Odisha. In particular, it has neglected Rourkela, the second largest metropolitan area of Odisha in many ways. For example, Rourkela is not in the list of world-class stations.

How has SER messed up in Odisha?

• The Rupsa-Bangiriposi conversion to broad gauge has been messed up badly. See page 8-9 of 2006-may-CAG report.



• Alignment of Jaleswar – Digha line.
• The dangling lines



• etc.

Having made the point that SER needs to have a division HQ in Odisha, the best location for such a division HQ would be Rourkela. It would of course need a reorganization of the current division break-up. Below we will give some suggestions on a possible reorganization.

Following is an excerpt from a report in expressbuzz.com.

How justified is the demand to carve out a separate railway division at Rourkela under the East Coast Railway (ECoR)? Given the continuing neglect towards the infrastructure and passenger amenities over decades, the demand is gaining momentum.

With apolitical and political outfits jumping on the bandwagon to seek separation of Rourkela from the Chakradharpur division of the South Eastern Railway (SER), the Railway Ministry is likely to feel the heat ahead.

Train Passenger Steering Committee convener and Rourkela Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Subrat Patnaik in tandem with the members of the Rourkela Development Forum (RDF) and Rourkela Railfanning Association (RRA) are vociferous in their demand. The local BJD unit has gone a step ahead to threaten disruption of mineral transportation by rail if the issue was not sorted out.

Locals feel, in the changed scenario, the triangular districts of Sundargarh, Jharsuguda and Keonjhar – high on industrial and mining activities – would no longer tolerate further neglect as Sundargarh alone annually contributes ` 800 crore to SER.

… Inadequate train services and infrastructure apart, the lingering of the proposed Bimlagarh-Talcher rail link is a stark pointer of neglect, they stated.

Even 10 per cent of the revenue generated from the regions is not spent to benefit a population of over 50 lakh.

RDF and RRA members Dilip Mohanty, Mahendra Mishra, Mihir Swain and Supratik Mishra sent a memorandum to the Railway Ministry over the demand claiming the combined revenue share from these three districts is anything over ` 2,200 crore.  …

The fact that there is an ECOR division in Sambalpur (147 kms from Rourkela) and Chakradharpur (101 kms from Rourkela) should not be a concern as there are many railway divisions that are much closer. In http://www.rourkelacity.com/top-news/rourkelare-rela-division/ it is mentioned that there are separate rail divisions in Varanasi and Mughalsarai that are only 17 kms apart, Guntur and Vijaywada that are 34 kms apart and so on. 

The petition at http://www.petitionodisha.in/transportation/creating-a-new-east-coast-railway-division-at-rourkela/ lists various reasons why a ECOR rail division in Rourkela is needed. Please visit it and sign it.

There is also a similar need for a railway division in Rayagada or Kesinga/Lanjigarh Rd/Bhawanipatna to cater to existing lines and to the many new lines that are coming up there. The new lines include Naupada-Gunupur and its extension to Therubali and Lanjigarh Rd – Junagarh and its extension to Nabarangpur and Jeypore.  With many people in Viskhapatnam demanding that the VSKP division be split from ECOR, if that happens the Odisha part of the current VSKP division as well the above mentioned new lines should be moved to the proposed division at  Rayagada or Kesinga/Lanjigarh Rd/Bhawanipatna.

In North Odisha with several new lines coming up (Bhadrakk – Dhamara, Chakulia – Buramara, Jaleswar – Digha, ) and with the commencement of broad gauge service in the Rupsa-Baripada-Bangiriposi line a new division in Balasore or Bhadrak is warranted. SER greatly meshed up the Rupsa-Baripada-Bangiriposi line costing Indian Railways significantly. See page 8-9 of 2006-may-CAG report. These parts should also be taken away from SER.

The link http://www.rvnl.org/project/project_desc.php?id=74 has the following.

This is the latest addition to the list of RVNL projects. (15 of 60 projects in that list involve Orissa.)  It is listed as a port connectivity (PC) project. Among the various proposed ports in that area, Dhamra port is closest to be operational. This link will shorten Rupsa-Chakulia distance from 167 kms to 125 kms. More importantly it will bypass the busy Kharagpur junction and provide an alternative path to Tatanagar. It will also provide a bypass of the area that sometimes gets flooded by the Subarnarekha river.

The following map illustrates the area. (Thanks to Samit for permitting to use this map fragment from his book.)

The following is from SER’s Kharagpur division map.

The complete list of 15 Orissa related projects listed at http://www.rvnl.org/project/project.php are: 

1. (11) KHARAGPUR (NIMPURA) – BHUBANESWAR (GQ electrification – completed)
2. (12) BHUBANESWAR – KOTTAVALASA ELECT (GQ electrification – completed)
3. (14) TALCHAR-CUTTACK-PARADEEP DOUBLING WITH 2ND BRIDGE ON RIVERS BIRUPA AND MAHANADI (GQ doubling completed)
4. (15) DAITARI – BANSPANI NEW LINE (Port connectivity completed)
5. (19) ANGUL – SUKINDA NEW LINE (Post connectivity – under development)
6. (20) JAKHPURA- HARIDASPUR 3RD LINE DOUBLING (Port connectivity – recently sanctioned)
7. (26) RAJATGARH – BARANG DOUBLING (GQ – work in progress)
8. (27) CUTTACK – BARANG DOUBLING (GQ – work in progress)
9. (28) KHURDA ROAD – BARANG 3RD LINE DOUBLING (GQ – work in progress)
10. (44) HARIDASPUR – PARADEEP NEW LINE (Port connectivity – work in progress)
11. (53) TOMKA -BANASPANI – RE (Port connectivity, electrification, recently sanctioned)
12. (54) SAMBALPUR – TITLAGARH – DOUBLING (Port connectivity, recently sanctioned)
13. (55) RAIPUR – TITLAGARH – DOUBLING (Port connectivity, recently sanctioned)
14. (60) BANASPANI – JAKHPURA – DOUBLING (Port connectivity, electrification, unsanctioned)
15. (63) BURAMARA – CHAKULIA – NEW LINE WITH UPGRADING OF RUPSA – BURAMARA (port connectivity, new line, under development)

 With the Gopalpur port getting ready, RVNL should be soon taking up the Gunupur-Theruvali line. 

Following is the news report on the discussion (almost a confrontation) with the Railway Board Chair, as reported in India Abroad. The basic premise behind our grievances against Indian Railways and our demands is simple.

• Indian railways is scheduled to make 2500-3000 crores/year from Orissa, but spends only 1000 crores/year on Orissa in terms of new lines, doubling and gauge conversion.
• Its current plan for major spending includes freight corridors, metro rails, and high speed rails, none of which touch Orissa. It plans to do gauge conversion of 12000 kms, most of which is unprofitable (this proves that Indian Railway lies when it says it only does profitable lines), very little (less than 100 km) of which is in Orissa.
• Orissa is already behind the national average in terms of rail density and way behind its neighbors such as West Bengal and Bihar. If no changes are made to the 11th plan IR allocations Orissa will further fall behind.
• Indian Railways must not take money from its profit in Orissa, and spend it else where, until it takes care of proper connectivity to Orissa’s tribal, backward and maoist infested areas. The 2500-3000 times 5 = 12,500 -15,000 crore that Indian Railways will profit from Orissa during the 11th plan must be spend in new lines in Orissa until the (i)-(v) lines below and other port and mine connectivity lines are completed during the 11th plan.
• To Mr. Jena’s retort that Mumbai earns so much in taxes and not all of it is spent in Mumbai; we reply that it is often acceptable to take from rich and give to poor; But when did it become acceptable to take from poor (Orissa) and give to rich (freight corridors etc. in other states)?

The lines in Orissa connecting to the tribal and backward areas that we demand to be finished during the 11th plan are:

• (i) Khurda Rd – Nayagarh – Balangir: Lack of connectivity was one of the reasons a recent Maoist mayhem happened in Nayagarh. It seems after recent events, including the confrontation with the Railway Board Chair and various dharanas in Bhubaneswar, IR has started responding to this demand, but not to the extent to promise its completion during the 11th plan. Note that Balangir is the B in the KBK districts that are the most backward in India.
• (ii) Lanjigarh Rd – Junagarh – Nabarangpur – Jeypore – Malkangiri – Bhadrachalam Rd in Andhra Pradesh: Only small part of this is approved. Most of it is not even surveyed. In the long run this will really bring those parts of Orissa closer to the rest of Orissa. This is the most important connection and has to be take care of at the earliest. Like the approved Vijaywada-Ranchi highway, this line will create an alternative Hyderabad – Ranchi path passing through backward and tribal areas of Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Jharkhand. This line will connect the Kalahandi and Koraput districts, the two K’s in KBK. The recent Maoist attack and killing of the Greyhound forces in Malkangiri might have been prevented if this line existed as then the forces would have used the train rather than being seating ducks taking a boat across a lake in Malkangiri.
• (iii a) Rayagada – Gopalpur: This has been surveyed and but work on it has not started. Note that Rayagada is part of the undivided Koraput district, one of the K’s of KBK. This line could come under port connectivity and will be a viable line connecting the industries near Rayagada with the upcoming port in Gopalpur.
• (iii b) Gunupur – Theruvali: This will add to the Naupada-Gunupur line and make it an economically viable line. (IR and Mr. Jena agree about its importance.) This line will be completely inside the Raygada district, part of the undivided Koraput district, one of the K’s of KBK.
• (iv) Talcher – Bimlagarh (connectivity to the tribal district of Sundergarh): This line has been approved but is only being given a few crores each year, which is less than the inflation. This line will reduce the distance between Sundergarh district and teh coastal areas significantly. For example, it will make Rourkela only 4-5 hrs from Bhubaneswar.
• (v) Baripada/Buramara – Chakulia: This line will connect the tribal district of Mayurbhanj to tribal areas of Jharkhand. It will add to the Rupsa-Baripada-Bangiriposi line and make it an economically viable line. (IR and Mr. Jena agree about its importance.)

All these lines can be completed if Indian railways just suspends its practice of taking from poor (Orissa) and giving to the rich for only a few years (may be just 3-4 years). The following maps show the above mentioned lines.

This is a tricky issue. If these parts are taken out of SER and put in ECOR then SER will become very small. Also, ECOR then has to give up part of the Vizag division as people in that area of Andhra Pradesh have similar complaints with respect to ECOR.

The following is from the PIB http://pib.nic.in/release/release.asp?relid=33421. (Based on this Orissa will fall behind quite a bit: Only 2000kms of new lines
 none of the major new lines in Orissa, such as Khurda-Balangir, will get completed during the 11th plan. The states where the freight corridor will run and the states with a lot of narrow gauge lines will surge forward.)

In order to carry additional freight and passenger traffic in future, Railways have on hand 272 track capacity works, which on completion would add 20,852 kilometers to the Broad Gauge system.  The estimated throwforward cost of these works is approximately Rs. 55,000 crore.

A substantial amount of traffic moves on the High density routes viz. the ones which connect the four metropolitan cities of Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkatta, and the Delhi – Gaulhati route.  Railways have already announced construction of two Dedicated Freight Corridors between JNPT-Tughlakabad (1483 kms) and Sonenagar-Ludhiana, (to be later extended to the deep sea port of Kolkatta) (1279 kms) at a cost of more than Rs. 28,000 crores to give relief to two of the densely saturated routes viz. Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata routes.  In addition, feasibility studies have been ordered on four other corridors – (i) North – South (Delhi-Chennai); (ii) East – West (Mumbair – Kolkotta); (iii) South – East (Vijayawada – Kharagpur ) and (iv) South – South (Chennai – Goa).

In addition, Railway proposes to augment its track capacity in XI Plan by 15,500 kilometers, including 2000 kilometer of new lines, 3500 kilometers of doubling and 10,000 kilometers of gauge conversion.

The revenue earning freight traffic in the XI Five Year Plan period is expected to increase from 728 million tonnes in 2006-07 to 1100 million tonnes in 2011-12.  The corresponding freight output is expected to increase from 475 billion ton kilometers in 2006-07 (prov.) to 707 billion ton kilometers in 2011-12.  In order to cater to the projected freight traffic, it is expected that 62000 wagons would be required during the XI Plan.  Railways will also require to induct 1800 electric and 1800 diesel locomotives for carrying the projected traffic in the XI plan.  In addition to enhance the capacity of the existing diesel and electric locomotive manufacturing units, Railways are also going in for setting up a diesel locomotive factory at Marhowra and electric loco factory at Madhepura which will produce 150 and 120 locos per year respectively.

Since capacity augmentation takes time, Railways have taken immediate steps to enhance the throughput by increasing the carrying capacity of wagons by 6 tonnes on most of the routes and by 8 tonnes on selected routes and also strengthen the track, bridges and allied structures.  In addition, 28 heavy mineral routes with over 6900 route kilometers have been further identified for implementation of 25 tonne Axle load.  Also on selected routes, double stack containers trains have been permitted to further enhance the throughput per train.

Railways also plan to induct wagons of better design, higher capacity, longer life and low on maintenance.

The passenger traffic in the XI Five Year Plan is expected to increase from 6242 million passengers in 2006-07 (RE) to 8400 million in 2011-12.  The correspondence passenger output is expected to increase from 700 billion passenger kilometers to 880 billion passenger kilometers.

In order to cater to this increase in traffic, it is expected that 22500 coaches would be required  during the XI Five Year Plan,  implying a yearly requirement of 4500 coaches.  In order to meet this requirement , the production capacities of the existing units –integral Coach Factory, Prembur  and Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthanla – are being enhanced to 1500 and 1400 coaches per annum respectively from the  present capacity of 1000 coaches per annum each.  Further, a new coach factory is also being planned to be set up at Rai Bareily to bridge the shortfall in requirement and production capacities.

Railways have constructed a total of 4084 kilometers of track in the last three years.  The details are as under :–

This information was given by the Minister of State for Railways Shri R.Velu in written reply to a question in the Lok  Sabha today.

(This is copied from my site on Railway infrastructure in Orissa.)

Most of Orissa’s rail network ( full-orissa-map, map-east-n- north-orissa, map-south-n-west-orissa) is part of the East Coast railway( map1, map2, time-table), and a small portion is part of the South eastern railway( map, plans) of Indian Railways. For trains across India see the Indian Railways Schedule, and for trains across Orissa see the ECOR schedule. Maps from IRFCA are here. India9.com has a list of stations and trains related to Orissa.

Rail network description:

• Howrah(0)… Kharagpur (116) … Lakshannath Rd (178)-Jaleswar (184)-Rajghat halt (191)-Amarda Rd (198)-Basta (203)- N Mayurbhanj Rd (207)-Rupsa Jn (213)-Haldipada (219)-Tikirapal halt (226)-Balasore (231)-Nilgiri Rd (241)- Khantapara (246)-Panpana (251)-Bahanga Bazar (256)-Soro (264)-Sabira (271)-Markona (279)-Ranital (285)- Bhadrak(291) -Baudpur(303)-Kapali Rd(308)-Kenduapada(312) -Manjuri Rd(320)-Dulakhpatna(323)-Baitarani Rd (328)- Korai(335)-Jajpur Keonjar Rd(340) – Jakhapura (348)-Brahmani PH-Jenapur(356)- New Garhmadhupur (362) -Haridaspur(372) -Dhanmandal(377)- Barithengarh(383) – Byree(388)-Sri Jhadeswar(392) – Kapilas Rd (398)- Nergundi(401)- Kendrapara Rd (409)- Cuttack(412) -Kathajori(414)-Gopalpur Balikuda(417)-Barang(424)- Patia(431)- Mancheswar (433)- Vani Vihar (437)- BBSR(440)- Lingaraj temple rd (445)- Retang(452)- Khurda Rd(459)-Argul (465)-Kaipadar Rd (468)- Dhaulimuhan(473)- Tapang(477)-Golabai(482)- Nirakarpur(485)- Bhusandapur(493)-Mukteswar(498)- Kaluparaghat (503) – Kuhuri(509)-Gangadharpur(517)- Solari(523)-Balugaon(530)- Chilika(537)- Khallikot (548)-Rambha(559)-Humma(570)-Ganjam(576)- Chhatrapur Court(584)- Chatrapur(585)- Jagannathpur(597)-Berhampur(606)-Golanthara (617)- Surla Rd(621)-…-Palasa(680)-…- Naupada (705) -…- Vijainagaram(821) -…- Visakhapatnam (882)

(ecor map)

• Haridaspur-Kendrapara-Paradeep (preliminary stage of construction; only few stations are named currently)
• Cuttack(0)-Mattagazpur(7)- Kandarpur(17)- Badakhandita(25)- Raghunathpur(32)- Gorakhnath (45) -Jhankad Sarla Rd(50)- Rahama(60)- Badabandha (73)- Paradeep(83)
• Khurda Rd (0)-Haripur(3)-Motari(8)-Kanas Rd(11)- Delang(15)- Birpurusottampur(22)-Sakhigopal(27)- Janakideipur(33)-Malatipatpur(36)-Puri (44)
• Khurda Rd(0)-Khurda Town(10.8)-Rajsunakhala (44)-Nayagarh(65.6)-Dasapalla(110.25)-Boudh (198)-Sonepur(240.1)-Bhainsapalli(274.9)-Balangir (preliminary stage of construction; only few stations are named currently)
• Sambalpur (0)-Sambalpur Rd(2)-Sambalpur city(7)- Maneswar(15)-Hatibari(28)- Jujomura(39)- Charmal (56)-Rairkhol(71)-Bamur(87)-Saragipali(97)- Handapa (111)- Boinda(118) – Jarapada(133)- Kerejanga(143) – Angul(157)-Talcher Rd (169) – Talcher(175)
• Talcher (0)-Talcher thermal(4)-Budhapank(10)- Meramondali(19)-Naya Bhagirathipur(28)- Hindol rd (32)-Sadashibpur(42)-Dandimal(46)- Dhenkanal (53)-Shyamcharanpur (58)- Joranda Rd(61)- Rajathagarh(73)- Radhakishorepur (77)- Ghantikhal (83)- Naraj Marthapur(90)-Barang(98)
• Talcher(0)-…-Rajathagara(73)-Gurudijhatia(83) – Charbatia(92)-Salagaon(96)- Nergundi(100) -…- Cuttack(112)-…-Bhubaneswar(140)
• Howrah(0)-…-Kharagpur-(115)…-TATA(249.5)-…- Rajkharswan(291.4)-…-Chakradharpur(312)-…- Bhalulata(392)-Bisra(398.6)-Bondamunda Halt (406.4) – Raurkela (413=X)-Panposh (418.7)- Kalunga(426.3)- Kansbahal (433.3)- Rajgangpur (443)-Sonakhan(450) -Sagra(456.7)- Garpos (461)-Tangarmunda (469)- Bamra(477.5)- Dharuadihi(487.2)-Bagdihi(493.4)- Panpali(499.6)- Dhutra(505.5) –Jharsuguda Jn(514.2)– Ib(523.1)- Brajrajnagar(525.8)-Belpahar(534.9)- Himgiri(548.2)- Daghora(555.3)-…-Raigarh(585.7)-…- Bilaspur(718) -…- Raipur(828.6)
• Badampahar(0)-Chhanua PH(9)- Kuladiha(16)- Rairangpur(24.5)-Aunlakhor(34)-Bahalda Rd(47)- Haludpukur(67.5)-Tata(89)
• Gurumahishasini(0)-Aunlakhor(9)
• Raurkela(0)- Quarry (8) – Kuarmunda (18)- Biramitrapur (27)
• Titilagarh(0)-Sikir(11)-Badmal(20)-Saintala(29)- Deogaon Rd(47)-Balangir(64)- Balangir Rd(66)- Loisingha(82)- Khaliapali(94) -Dungripali(106)- Barpali(121)- Bargarh Rd(140)- Attabira(158) -Godbhaga(166)-Hirakud(175)-Sambalpur(182)- Sambalpur Rd(184)-Sason(196)-Rengali(205)- Lapanga(215)-Brundamal(224)- Jharsuguda(231)
• Visakhapatnam(0)-..-Shimiliguda(121)-Araku(132)- Gorapur(142)-Darliput(155)- Padua(165)-Bheja(175)- Machhakund Rd(186)- Paliba(199)- Suku(206)- Koraput(217)- Manabar (224)- Jarati(234)- Maligura (245) – Chhatriput (252) –Jeypore(259)- Dhanapur (266) – …Jagdalpur(323) -…Kirandul(473)
• Koraput (0)-Damnjodi(19)- Kakrigumma (46) – Lakshmipur Rd (62) – Tikiri (83)-Rauli(96)- Lelligumma (113) -Bhalumaska (129)-Kautguda(155)- Singhapur Rd (164) – Rayagada (173)
• Raipur (0)-…-Khariar Rd(106)-Nawapara Rd (117)- Lakhna(131)- Harishankar Rd(147)-Truekela Rd(156)-Kantamanji(170)-Muribahal(185) – Rahenbata (196) – Titlagarh(203)- Kesigna(216) -Kandel Rd(225) – Rupra Rd(232)- Norla Rd(239)- Lanjigarh Rd(250)- Ambodola(264)- Doikallu(276) -Muniguda(289)-Bissam Cuttack (306)- Therubali (324)-Singapur Rd9(333)- Raygada (343) -Ladda (351)-…-Bobbili(414)-… –Vijainagaram(467)
• Rupsa Jn (0)-Thakurtota(6)-Jugpur(12)- Jogal(18)- Betonoti(24)-Krishna Ch Pur (35)-Jamsole(42)- Baripada (52)
• Baripada (0)-Baghra Rd(3)- Bhanjapur(4)- Kuchai(12) -Buramara(24)-Rajalukan(36)-Bangriposi (37.4) (narrow gauge, being converted)
• Balasore (0)-Nilgiri (21) (narrow gauge, used for transporting granite; defunct now?): [1]
• Naupada(0)-Tekkali(7)-Peddasana(13)-Temburu(17)- Ganguvada(25)-Patapatnam(34)- Parlakimidi (40)- Sitapuram(52)-Kashinagar(65)-Lihuri(71)- Bansidhara (79)-Palasingi(84)- Gunupur(90) (narrow gauge; being converted; Gunupur to be connected to Therubali)
• Jakhapura(0)-Sukinda Rd(8)-Baghupal(16)- Tomka(24)-Daitari(33). Tomka(0)-Tangiriapal(10)-Sagadapeta(26)-Chilikdara (39)- Harichandanpur(49)-Nilakantheswar(59)- Sitabanji(70)- Basantpur(83)-Naranpur(92)- Keonjhargarh(98)-Goaldih(109)- Porjanpur(116)- Nayagarh(130)– Jaroli(146)-Bansapani(155)-Murg Mahadev Rd(164)-Deojhar(167)-Padapahar (183)- Dangoaposi(188)-Maluka(198)-Kendposi(208)- Talaburu(217)-Jhinkpani(226)-Singhpokharia(235) –Chaibasa(242)-Pandrasali(250)-Rajkharswan(262) (between Chakradharpur and Tata) … Tata (304)
• Bolanikhadan(0)-Barabil(6)-Bara jamda(16)- Noamundi (30)-Padapahar(33)
• Gua(0)-Bara jamda(8)
• Kiriburu(0)-Karampada(6)-Tupadih(11.5)-Rangra(20)- Rakshi(30)- Bimlagarh(40)-Patasahi(48)-Chandiposh (55)- Champajharan(61)-Lathikata(70.6)-Dumetra (80)- Bondamunda Halt(86.5)
• Bondmunda Halt-Bangurkoel(0)-Bispur(7)- Nawagaon (13)- Orga(20)-…-Hatia(148); Nawagaon-Punrapani
• Barsuan(0)-Gognaposh(14.5)-Bimlagarh(21)

Current railway connectivity and Indian railway websites:

• 2007 Bhubaneswar connectivity (draft): Bhubaneswar/Cuttack/Puri/KhurdaRd (on a map)(7,7a,29,29a,30,30a,32,32a,34,34a,40,78)

• 2007 Rest of Orissa connectivity (draft): Rourkela (5,5a,32,32a,34,34a,36,36a,40,78), Sambalpur (5,5a,32,32a,34,34a,40,78), Berhampur/Chhatrapur (7,7a,29,29a,30,30a,34,34a,40), Titlagarh (34,34a,40,42,42a), Rayagada (34,34a,40,42,42a), Balasore/Bhadrakh/Jajpur Keonjhar Rd (7,7a,29,29a,30,30a,32,32a,40), Dhenkanal/Anugul/Talcher (78), Jharsuguda (5,5a,32,32a,34,34a,36,36a, 40,78), Barbil (87,87a), Bolangir/BaragarhRd (34,34a,40), Koraput (40), Baripada (32,32a), Rupsa, Keonjhargarh, Gunupur/Parlakimidi.
• Time Table: Howrah-Rkl-Mumbai(5), Mumbai-Rkl-Howrah(5a), Howrah-BBSR/Puri-Chennai(7), Chennai-BBSR/Puri-Howrah(7a), Guwahati-BBSR-B’lore/Kerala(29), B’lore/Kerala-BBSR-Guwahati(29a), Howrah-BBSR-Hyderabad(30), Hyderabad-BBSR-Howrah(30a), Puri-Delhi(32), Delhi-Puri(32a), Puri-Okha(34), Okha-Puri(34a), Dhanbad-Chennai-Dhanbad(40), Puri-Sambalpur-Puri(78), Vizag-Rayagada-Delhi(42), Delhi-Rayagada-Vizag(42a), Barbil-Howrah(87), Howrah-Barbil (87a), Patna/Danapur-RKl-Bilaspur/Durg(36a), Bilaspur/Durg-RKL-Patna/Danapur(36).
• Orissa rail history
• List of trains passing through various Orissa stations
• Seven days availability of trains leaving Bhubaneswar
• Seven days availability of trains leaving Cuttack
• Seven days availability of trains leaving Puri
• Earliest dates on which reservations are available from Puri
• Train running (late/in time/etc.) status page (by train #)
• Train departure by station name
• Trains/Fare/Reservation Availability Status Between Important Stations — Editor’s comment July 30 2005: There is a list of about 150 stations there, but the list only includes two stations in Orissa, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. They should atleast add Puri, Khurda Rd, Cuttack and Sambalpur to that list. Moreover, Khurda Road should be considered to be in Bhubaneswar area and trains that skip Bhubaneswar but pass through Khurda Road should show up when queries about Bhubaneswar are asked.
• Trainfinder between two stations
• Train reservations
• Coach positions: Southern railway
• IR time tables: Official Dec 2006 TAAG (Trains at a glance) site; a more organized Dec 2006 TAAG site.
  • 2006 Dec-2007 July ECOR time table
  • 2004-2005 ECOR time table: Vizag-Bhadrakh, Bhadrakh-Vizag, Vizag-Kirandul-Vizag, Titlagarh-Jharsuguda, Jharsuguda-Titlagarh, Rayagada-Raipur, Raipur-Rayagada, Vijainagaram-Titlagarh, Titlagarh-Vijainagaram, Talcher-Sambalpur, Sambalpur-Talcher, KhurdaRd-Angul, Angul-KhurdaRd, Puri-KhurdaRd, KhurdaRd-Puri, Raygada-Koraput, Cuttack-Paradeep–Nuapada-Gunupur, Vijaywada-Vizag, Vizag-Vijaywada, Bhadrakh-Howrah, Howrah-Bhadrakh.

Railway budgets:

• Plans in the 2007 budget
  • New Trains:
    • Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Express (weekly) after gauge conversion;
    • Bhubaneswar-Ranchi Garib Rath (tri-weekly) [most likely to follow the route Ranchi-MuriJn-ChandilJn-KandraJn-SiniJn-Chaibasa- Dangoaposi-PadapaharJn-Bansapani-Kenojhargarh- Tomka-SukindaRd-Jakhapura-Cuttack-Bhubaneswar]
  • Increase in Frequency: 2843/2844 Puri-Ahmedabad Express via Rayagada (from triweekly to 4 days in a week); 2835/2836 Hatia-Yesvantpur Express (from weekly to biweekly)
  • Doubling works of Bimlagarh-Dumitra (Part), Barbil-Badajamda, Titlagarh-Raipur have been given approval.
  • Survey for doubling: Sambalpur-Talcher; Khurda Road-Puri
  • Budget Numbers
    • New lines (94 crores total as opposed to 271.85 crores in 2006-07): Koraput-Rayagada (2 crores), Talcher-Sambalpur (3 crores), Lanjigarh Rd-Junagarh (12 crores), KhurdRd-Balangir (20 crores), Haridaspur-Paradeep (20 crores), Talcher-Bimlagarh (15 crores)
    • Gauge conversion (60 crores total as opposed to 49.8 crores in 2006-07): Naupada-Gunupur (25 crores), Rupsa-Bangiriposi ( 35 crores)
    • Doubling (293 crores as opposed to 293.16 crores in 2006-07): Talcher-Cuttack-Paradeep with 2nd bridge on Mahanadi and Birupa (64 crores), Cuttack-Barang (55 crores), Barang-Khurda Rd 3rd line (88 crores), Rajathagarh-Barang (86 crores). [Sambada lists some more doubling projects that is not listed in the pink book (ecor, se). Sambada claims the total 2007-08 budget for doubling to be 449.5 crores.]
• Plans in the 2006 budget
  • New Trains: Bhubaneswar-Baripada Express (tri-weekly) ; Howrah-Puri Express(bi-weekly) [done]; Bhubaneswar-Pondicherry Express(weekly) [feb14]; Tatanagar – Yesvantpur Express via Rourkela- Sambalpur- Rayagada(weekly) [done]; Howrah-Mumbai Express (weekly)
  • Extension of trains: 7227/7228 Vasco-Vijayawada Express (4 days a week) to Howrah [done]; 8507/8508 Visakhapatnam-Nizamuddin Hirakud Express to Amritsar; 8305/8306 Raipur-Sambalpur Express to Bhubaneswar [done]; 8467/8468 Puri-Jaipur Express to Jodhpur [done]; 8563/8564 Bangalore-Visakhapatnam Prashanti Express to Bhubaneswar; 211/212 Puri-Sambalpur Passenger to Rourkela
  • Increase in Frequency: 5625/5626 Bangalore- Guwahati Express from bi-weekly to tri-weekly [done]
  • In 2006-07, Railways propose to complete over 550 kms of New Lines. The sections include : Keonjhar-Daitari of Banspani-Daitari. With the completion of the above sections, the connection of Jakhapura (near Jajpur Road, between Bhubaneswar and Jajpur Rd) to Daitari, Keonjhar, Bansapani, to Rajkharsuan (between Chakradharpur and Tata) will be complete. See map. This will create alternate paths from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela (not much shorter, if any, than BBSR-Sambalpur-RKL though), and Bhubaneswar to Tata (a bit shorter than BBSR-KGP-Tata).
  • Completion of doubling of Titlagarh-Kesinga, Sambalpur-Sarala and Jharsuguda bye-pass in Orissa. Doubling of Padapahar-Banspani have also been included in the budget. In addition, works of doubling of Sambalpur-Titlagarh have been included in the Budget. Other doubling plans include Koraput-Kirandul, Kottavalasa-Koraput, and Bhadrak-Nergundi 3rd line.
  • Budget numbers: Total of Rs 653.9 crore for Orissa in 2006-07 ( against a request of 800 crores, and 279.39 crore more than allotted in 2005-06.): Rs 19 crore for the Lanjigarha Rd – Bhawanipatna – Junagarh, Rs 23 crore for the Khurda Rd- Balangir, Rs 155.58 crore Daitari-Keonjhar-Banspani, Rs 44 crore for Haridaspur-Paradip, Rs 20 crore for Angul-Duburi- Sukinda Road, and Rs 10 crore for Talcher-Bimalgarh. Rs 15.89 crore has been sanctioned for gauge conversion of Rupsa-Bangiriposi (Simlipal), Rs 34 crore for gauge conversion of Nuapada-Parlakimidi-Gunpur project, and Rs 293.16 crore for 12 doubling projects for 2006-07 as against Rs 170 crore for 2005-06.
  • 2006-07 Budget details at: Pink Book: ECOR details, SER details; Green Book: ECOR, SER.
• Past Railway budgets: 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06.
• Railway proj ects in Orissa — 2004 budgetary provisions
• Requests from Orissa legislator’s in Loksabha debates: [2005: Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Braja Kishore Tripathy, Ananta Nayak, Bikram Keshari Deo, B. Mahtab, Arjun Sethi, Brahmananda Panda, Kharabela Swain, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Mohan Jena]
• A twelve year railway budget plan for new lines and gauge conversion in Orissa: [April,1-2006]

New lines, gauge conversions, doublings: [Hindu-April05]

• Hurdles: 2006-07 ECOR allocation, 2006-07 SER allocation, Baripada-Bangiriposi problem (see page 8-9 of 2006-may-CAG report)
• New lines in progress or recently completed plus wish list for immediate consideration
  • Daitari-Banspani 155 km, estimated cost Rs 590 corres, 78% complete by May 2004. [map]
  • Lanjigarh-Bhawanipatna-Junagarh 55.67 km, Rs 120 crore, 15% complete on May 2004. [map] Editors note: Highest priority should be to have the following link: Malkangiri (southwestern tip of Orissa) to Jeypore (next to Koraput) to Nabarangpur to Junagarh-Bhawanipatna-Lanjigarh (in Kalahandi district), where Lanjigarh is just south of Titlagarh. (This will bring railways to the districts of Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi in KBK.)
  • Haridaspur-Paradip 82 km, Rs 340 crore, 4.25% complete but on fast track. [map], [Statesman:March2006]
  • Sukinda Road-Angul 90 km, Rs 415 crore, 0.2% complete on May 2004, but on fast track. (Sukinda Rd is in between Jajpur Road and Daitari) [map].
  • Talcher-Bimlagarh (Total: 154 km, Rs 727 crore) [map] [ This will make the shortest distance between BBSR to Rourkela to 308 kms: BBSR-Talcher (114) + Talcher-Bimlagarh(154) + Bimlagarh-Rourkela(40). Other alternate paths between BBSR-Rourkela are: BBSR-KGP-Rourkela (440-115+412-115= 325+ 297=622); BBSR-Talcher-Sambalpur-Rourkela (440); BBSR-Jakhapura-Daitari-Bansapani-Rajkharswan- Rourkela (92+38+155+108+122=515); BBSR-Bansapani-Padapahar-Bolanikhadan-?- Kiriburu-Bondamunda-Rourkela (285+28+32+ 15+85+7=452). ]
  • Khurda Road-Bolangir 290 km, Rs 700 crore, 6% (survey) complete by May 2004. [map]
  • Gunupur-Therubali: [map]
  • Bangriposi-Gurumahishasini: see mention in 2005 budget — section 91.III.11 (connecting Gurumahishasini to Bangiriposi and then having broad gauge till Rupsa gives the path TATA-Baripada-Rupsa; [an alternate demand by people]); [SER plan], [SER plan2], [map]
  • Chakulia-Buramara: [SER plan], [SER plan2], [people’s demand]
  • Jaleswar-Digha: [SER plan], [SER plan2]
  • Wishlist: Kiriburu-Bolanikhadan (about 10 kms) — will result in the path Rourkela-Bimlagarh-Kiriburu- Barbil-Bansapani-Jakhapura-Cuttack- Bhubaneswar: [google-image], [map].
  • Wishlist: Naraj-Khordha-Khurda-Road line as part of a circular rail for the Bhubaneswar area, Khordha-KhurdaRd should be constructed immediately as part of the KhurdaRd-Balangir line, then complete the Khorda-Naraj part and then make Khorda another reliever station for Bhubaneswar. Then there should be a train running between Cuttack-Barang-Bhubaneswar- Khurda Rd-Khordha-Naraj-Barang at frequent intervals.
  • Recently completed or planned to be completed: Koraput-Raygada (Dec 1995), Talcher-Sambalpur (Aug 1998), Rupsa-Baripada (Sept 2005), Daitari-Bansapani (scheduled – 2006/07).
• Gauge Conversion:
  • Naupada-Gunupur, 90 km, Rs 89 crore, just starting. [map].
  • Rupsa-Bangiriposi: Rupsa-Baripada is already done (see item 108 2005 budget; [trial-run]) [map]; [Rupsa-Baripada DMU from Sept’19 05]
• Doubling projects:
  • 32-km Raghunathpur-Cuttack stretch on the Cuttack-Paradip section
  • 24-km stretches between Norla Road and Lanjigarh Road and between Titlagarh and Kesinga on the Titlagarh-Lanjigarh section on the Raipur-Vizag route
  • Sambalpur-Rengali (22.7 km)
  • Rajathgarh-Barang (31.5 km)
  • Khurda Road-Puri (15.3 km)
  • Cuttack-Barang (11.7 km)
  • Khurda Road-Barang (35 km)
• New lines under consideration: surveying stage (Baragarh-NawaparaRd, Gunupur-Therubali and Puri-Konark survey are mentioned in 91.II.5, 91.II.1 and 91.II.3 of 2005 budget):
  • Jeypore-Kottameta new BG rail link, 128 kms
  • Puri-Konark new BG rail link, 30 kms
  • Phulbani-Berhampur new BG line, 175 kms
  • Talcher/Hindol Road -Gopalpur/Berhampur new BG rail link, 245 ms
  • Talcher-Bimlagarh new BG rail link, 130 kms
  • Bargarh-Nawapara Road new BG link via Padampur, 120 kms
  • Jeypore-Nawarangpur new BG line, 45 kms (and then extended to Junagarh)
  • Jeypur-Malkangiri
  • Editor’s wish list: Therubali-Angul-Keonjhar-Badampahar (will result in the paths Jeypore-Koraput-Rayagada- Therubali-Angul-BBSR, Jeypore-Koraput-Rayagada- Therubali-Angul-Sukinda-Jajpur Rd-Balasore- Howrah, Kirandul-Jeypore- Koraput- Rayagada- Therubali- Angul-Keonjhar-Bansapani-Ranchi, Jeypore – Koraput-Rayagada-Therubali-Angul- Keonjhar -Badam Pahar-Jamshedpur)
  • Editor’s wish list: Jajpur Rd- Jajpur-Aradi- Chandbali- Dhamara port
  • Other links in Orissa govt’s list: Raygada-Gopalpur, Jaleshwar-Digha, Keonjhar-Badampahar.

Future Plans:

• Rail Traffic Projections: [NewIndPress:Aug9-05]
• A twelve year railway budget plan for new lines and gauge conversion in Orissa: [April,1-2006]
  • Orissa CM demands more fund and trains in rail budget of 2006
• New trains, extension and increased frequencies: wish list for 2007 and beyond
  • Goal: Better connectivity between BBSR and Rourkela.
    • Introduce a BBSR-Rourkela half day Intercity train and/or extend BBSR-Sambalpur train to Rourkela. [BBSR-Rourkela distance is Rourkela-Jharsuguda (102) + Jharsuguda-Sambalpur (49)+ Sambalpur-Talcher(175) + Talcher-Barang(98) + Barang-BBSR (16) = 440km] So a BBSR-Howrah (437 km) Janashtabdi/Dhauli kind of timing, or the BBSR-Vijag (443km) Intercity timing would be ok. For example: If it starts from BBSR at 6 AM then using the 8413 timing it can reach Sambalpur by 11 AM and can reach Rourkela by 1:40 PM. Then it can leave Rourkela by 2:30 PM and reach BBSR by 10:10 PM. If this is successful then have another train with the opposite timing. I.e., leaving Rourkela at 6 AM reaching BBSR at 1:40 PM and leaving BBSR at 2:30 PM and reaching Rourkela at 10:10 PM. Extend Puri-Sambalpur and Rayagada-Sambalpur expresses to Jharsuguda so that passengers from BBSR/Puri/CTC can connect to many of the trains that go west (to Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad etc.) from Jharsuguda.
  • Goal: More frequency between BBSR and Mumbai: Do one or more of the following.
    • Easiest: Extend Visakha-Express to Mumbai.
    • Next: Extend the newly extended 8305/8306 Raipur-Bhubaneswar express to Mumbai (via Nagpur) [Alternatively extend this train to Bhopal via Nagpur]
    • Extend Vidarbha or Sevagram Express (between Mumbai and Nagpur) to Bhubaneswar (via Raipur-Titlagarh-Bargarh-Sambalpur-Dhenkanal) [Also increases connectivity to Nagpur]
    • Increase frequency of weekly 2145/2146 BBSR-Mumbai express(so that twice a week it goes in the current route via Anugul-Sambalpur, twice a week it goes via Vijainagaram-Rayagada- Titlagarh- Raipur, and thrice a week via Vizag-Koraput- Rayagada-Raipur); [Similar to the trains connecting Puri-BBSR to ADI.]
  • Goal: Increase connectivity between Western Orissa and Allahbad-Delhi ( Public demand):
    • Extend 8601 Hatia Jammu Tawi express (now via Allahbad and Delhi) to Sambalpur (via Rourkela) first and may be after a year all the way till Bhubaneswar
    • Extend 2817/8603 Hatia-Delhi Samjhouta Express (via Allahbad) to Sambalpur (via Rourkela).
    • Increase frequency of Vizag-Delhi(now planned to be extended to Amritsar) express and on the new days let it take the route of Vizag-Koraput-Rayagada-Titilagarh-Balangir- Sambalpur and then follow the rest of the schedule.
  • Increase frequency of BBSR Rajdhani (perhaps once or twice plying through Sambalpur, once plying through Keonjhar, and going beyond BBSR to Viskhapatnam);
  • Goal: Better connection between western Orissa and South India, especially Hyderabad ( Public demand) [There are direct trains from Rourkela/Sambalpur to Bhubaneswar, Howrah, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, but none to Hyderabad currently]:
    • Extend 6512 Bilaspur-Bangalore Express (via Hyderabad) to Rourkela or via Rourkela to Hatia/Ranchi or Tata.
    • Extend Vizag-Hyderabad Godavari express to Rourkela.
    • Introduce a Tata-Hyderabad Express going through Rourkela. [This should be happening soon, as Tata has excellent connections to all parts of India except to Hyderabad. May be ECOR can chip in towards this.] (Note in 2006 budget a new weekly Tata- Bangalore express is proposed. This may be routed through Hyderabad.)
  • Have a new Rayagada-Raipur (343 kms) day time express and Balangir-Vijainagaram (336 km) day-time express.
  • Increase frequency of weekly BBSR-Bangalore express and extend it to Mysore;
  • A Bhopal-Nagpur-BBSR-Puri train. (Bhopal and Nagpur are very close to Orissa but are not properly connected to BBSR by Rail.)
  • Extend Dhanbad-Tata Subarnreka express to Bhubaneswar.
  • Extend 8102 Muri express (Tata/Hatia-Jammu Tawi) to Bhubaneswar via Keonjhar (on the Hatia part) and Bhubaneswar via Kharagpur and Balasore on the Tata part.
  • A weekly Puri-Bhubaneswar-Sambalpur-Jabalpur-Bhopal-Kandla express
  • Extend Puri-Jodhpur express to Jaisalmer
  • A weekly Puri-Jaipur-Bikaner express
  • A weekly BBSR-Chennai-Tuticorn express
  • A weekly BBSR-Chennai-Cape express
  • A weekly BBSR-Chennai-Trivendrum express
  • A weekly BBSR-Chennai-Mangalore-Calicut express.
  • Once Daitari-Bansapani line is completed: a Tata-Puri passenger as well as a BBSR-TATA Intercity express via Keonjhar. [BBSR-Tata distance via Keonjhar will be about 421Kms: BBSR-Jakhapura (92) + Jakhapura -Tomka(24) + Tomka-Bansapani(155)+ Bansapani- Rajkharswan(108) + Rajkharswan-Tata(42)] Just for reference: BBSR-KGP-Tata = (440-115) + (249-115) = 325+134 = 459 kms.
  • Once Daitari-Bansapani line is completed, run one of the BBSR-SiniJn-Delhi train via Keonjhar on some of the days. (BBSR-Kenojhar-Sini = 410 kms while BBSR-Tata-Sini=486 kms)
  • a daily North Orissa Express train between Baripada and Puri. (in 2006-07 plan there is a thrice daily Baripada-BBSR train. This train is operational now.)
  • extend one of the trains to Delhi to beyond say Chandigarh/Jammu
  • a daily train between Baripada and Sambalpur;
  • a daily train between Rourkela and Berhampur;
  • a daily train between Paradeep and Berhampur;
  • extend 8447/8448 BBSR-Koraput express upto Jeypur;
  • increase frequency of 5639/5640 weekly Puri – Guwahati express;
  • once the line between Howrah-BBSR is completely electrified [done Dec 1 05] an almost non-stop twice a day, 4 hrs each way train between Howrah-BBSR;
  • Extend Konark express to start from Baripada as well as 2145/2146 BBSR-Mumbai express to start from Baripada. [There are direct trains from Balasore to BBSR, Howrah, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, but none to Mumbai. In general all train going west that start from BBSR should be extended to Balasore];
  • make a reliever station to Bhubaneswar with express halts at Patia. It is 1 km to the right of Magnetic Square in this map, and 2 km to the top of Patia square in this map. Note that this station is 3 km from Infocity, 1 km from KIIT, 2 km from Silicon, 3.5 km from Trident, 2 km from Koustuv, 2 km from College of Engg, 2 km from CIPET, 5 km from Fortune tower, etc.
• People’s demand: [Pioneer July’05: Extension of Raipur-Sambalpur intercity express to Bhubaneswar instead of Sambalpur [in 2006-07 plan], completion of Khurda-Balangir Railway Line, extension of Bhubaneswar -Sambalpur intercity express to Titilagarh instead of Sambalpur]
• Orissa integration plan (July 2005):
  • Now: lots of trains in the route Howrah- Kharagpur -Balasore-BBSR-Berhampur- Palasa-Vizag and Howrah-Rourkela-Mumbai; and many trains in the line Sambalpur-Dhenkanal-Bhubaneswar.
  • in 5 years: 2 fast express trains daily between: Koraput-Raygada-Gunupur-BBSR, Tata-Baripada- Rupsa-BBSR, Rourkela-Bansapani-BBSR, Chakradharpur-Keonjhargarh-Bhubaneswar; every two hours during the day trains between Puri-BBSR, Paradeep-BBSR, Berhempur-BBSR, Dhenkanal-BBSR, Bhadrakh-BBSR
  • in 10 years: 2 express trains daily between Junagarh-Bhawanipatna-LanjigarhRd-Titlagarh- Balangir-Phulbani-BBSR, 1 express train daily in the route Rourkela-Bimlagarh-Talcher-BBSR

Rail freight corridor: [TOI-Oct20-05] RVNL (Rail Vikas Nigam Limited) : projects, public notices

• Orissa related projects: 11:Kharagpur-BBSR electrification, 12:BBSR-Kottavasla electrification, 14:Talcher-Paradeep doubling with new bridges on Mahanadi and Birupa, 15:Daitari-Bansapani-Jakhapura new line and electrification, 19:Angul-Sukinda new line, 20:Jakhapura-Haridaspur 3rd line, 26:Rajathagara-Barang doubling, 27: Cuttack-Barang doubling, 28: KhurdaRd-Barang 3rd line, 43:Angul-Sukinda electrification, 44:Haridaspur-Paradeep newline (11 out of 48 projects on March 16 2007 were in Orissa)
• Orissa related public notices: Rajathagara-Barang doubling resettlement plan (rehabilitation plan), Cuttack-Barang doubling resettlement plan (rehabilitation plan), Barang-KhurdaRd resettlement plan.