Cuttack–Nergundi 4th Rail Line & Flyover Sanctioned at ₹802.9 Cr

Bhubaneswar: In a major step towards enhancing railway infrastructure in Odisha, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has sanctioned the construction of the Cuttack–Nergundi 4th rail line, spanning 15.99 km, along with a dedicated rail flyover at Nergundi, at an estimated cost of ₹802.9 crore.

This ambitious project is expected to significantly ease congestion and boost efficiency along the crucial Howrah–Chennai mainline and the Cuttack–Paradeep sections. The Cuttack–Nergundi stretch, part of the High-Density Network (HDN), currently faces operational bottlenecks due to the convergence of Paradeep port-bound freight traffic and passenger services at surface-level crossings, particularly affecting punctuality around Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

With no direct junction facility at Cuttack for trains headed towards Talcher, frequent delays have become a challenge. The proposed fourth line and flyover aim to decongest this corridor, ensuring seamless separation of port and mainline traffic, especially towards Dhenkanal.

Once completed, the infrastructure upgrade will reduce the detention time of Mail/Express and passenger trains, enhancing their punctuality and operational flow. It will also allow for segregation of coaching and freight traffic, helping avoid delays for trains bypassing the mainline.

The project includes the construction of two major bridges over the Mahanadi and Birupa rivers, and will feature Kavach safety technology and a 2×25 kV electrification system, enabling speeds of up to 130 kmph.

This strategic investment marks another milestone under the East Coast Railway’s modernization drive, aimed at transforming one of India’s busiest rail corridors into a more efficient, high-speed, and future-ready network.