Bhubaneswar, May 31: The Rayagada Railway Division of East Coast Railway (ECoR) is set to commence functioning from June 1, ushering in a new era of railway led infrastructure growth and regional development in South Odisha and adjoining areas.
The new division is expected to strengthen railway operations, improve project monitoring, enhance infrastructure planning and accelerate execution of development initiatives across the region. With a dedicated Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) stationed at Rayagada, coordination with State Government agencies, district administrations, industries and local communities is expected to become faster and more effective.
The division will be headed by a DRM and supported by around 40 officers and nearly 600 railway employees, making Rayagada a key railway administrative and operational centre in south Odisha.
Strategically located in one of India's most mineral rich regions, the Rayagada Division is poised to emerge as a major freight growth centre within Indian Railways. Iron ore from the Kirandul–Bacheli mining belt will continue to dominate freight traffic, while movement of alumina, bauxite, steel products, slag, fly ash and other industrial commodities is expected to increase steadily.
The division is projected to handle more than 40 million tonnes of freight annually, underlining its growing importance as a logistics and freight hub.
A major growth driver for the division will be the development of GatiShakti Cargo Terminals (GCTs) at Singaram, Tikiri, Bhansi, Mallividu and Bheja. These facilities will strengthen rail-based logistics for mining, aluminium, steel and other core industries.
The proposed Bhansi and Mallividu terminals are expected to handle around 7 MTPA and 5 MTPA respectively. Additional freight facilities, including industrial sidings and bulk cargo infrastructure, will further enhance logistics efficiency and industrial connectivity. The division is also expected to unlock freight potential from agricultural produce and forest products across the region.
The newly created division is expected to accelerate execution and monitoring of railway infrastructure projects covering nearly 1,360 kilometres - Jeypore-Malkangiri New Line (130 km) with an estimated investment of about Rs 20,020 crore.
The major projects of the division include Jeypore–Nabarangpur New Line (38 km); Junagarh–Nabarangpur New Line (116.21 km); Malkangiri–Pandurangapuram via Bhadrachalam New Line (173.61 km); Gunupur–Therubali New Line (73.62 km) and Kottavalasa–Koraput Doubling Project (189.278 km).
The DRM's office will play a key role in coordinating major industrial connectivity projects, including those linked to NMDC, NALCO, UAIL and other industries.
The districts served by the Rayagada Division, including Rayagada, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Gajapati and Kandhamal, are expected to benefit significantly from improved railway connectivity, freight infrastructure and accelerated project implementation. These developments are likely to generate employment opportunities, attract logistics and warehousing investments and stimulate industrial and commercial growth.
With enhanced connectivity, stronger freight infrastructure and faster project execution, the Rayagada Railway Division is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming South Odisha into a vibrant economic and logistics corridor.
