Major Rail Infrastructure Boost: New Cuttack-Nergundi Line and Flyover Approved!

The Indian Railways has greenlit a significant project to construct the Cuttack-Nergundi fourth line and a rail flyover, with an investment of Rs 802.9 crore. This initiative aims to improve train operations along the Howrah-Chennai mainline and reduce congestion caused by port traffic. The project includes new river bridges and advanced safety features, promising enhanced efficiency for passenger and freight services. Read on to learn more about this transformative development in Odisha's rail infrastructure.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 11, 2025, 21:26 IST

Enhancing Rail Connectivity in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Union Minister for Railways, Ashwini Vaishnaw, has approved the construction of the Cuttack–Nergundi fourth line along with a rail flyover at Nergundi, with an estimated budget of Rs 802.9 crore, as announced by officials on Friday.

This initiative is set to improve the capacity and operational efficiency of train services along the Howrah–Chennai mainline and the Cuttack–Paradeep route, according to a statement from the East Coast Railway (ECoR).

The Cuttack–Nergundi stretch, measuring 15.99 km, is a crucial part of the Howrah–Chennai High-Density Network (HDN). Currently, this corridor experiences significant congestion due to the intersection of Paradeep Port traffic with the mainline at Cuttack. The absence of direct junctions for Talcher-bound trains often leads to delays caused by surface-level crossings.

The introduction of the fourth line and rail flyover aims to alleviate congestion by segregating port-related traffic from the mainline routes, especially between Cuttack and Dhenkanal. This development is expected to minimize delays for passenger and express trains operating to and from Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

Additionally, the project will facilitate the separation of passenger and freight traffic in the area. Trains that bypass the mainline will experience fewer delays, thereby improving overall operational efficiency, as noted by an official.

As part of this project, two new river bridges will be constructed over the Mahanadi and Birupa rivers. The new line, including the flyover, will feature Kavach safety systems and a 2×25 kV electrification setup, allowing for a maximum speed of 130 km/h.