The Puri Jagannath Temple and the Konark Sun Temple are two of the most visited destinations in the state of Odisha. These destinations, attracting massive crowds each year, are set to be connected seamlessly through a Puri-Konark rail line project. This ambitious rail line project is gaining momentum, with land acquisition and other infrastructure-related aspects being carried on in full swing. Here’s what you must know about this exciting project that will link two of Odisha’s most popular tourist destinations.
Puri-Konark Rail Line Project: What We Know So Far
Connecting Puri And Konark
Indian Railways is moving swiftly with the work of the Puri-Konark rail line project. This is part of the larger plan boosting coastal Odisha connectivity.
This rail line is a 32-km long railway line connecting Puri Jagannath Temple with the Konark Sun Temple. These two places are some of the most visited destinations in Odisha, as well as in India.
Once completed, this project is expected to boost connectivity between the two destinations and increase tourism. As of now, tourists and locals depend on road transport primarily for traveling between the two destinations. A rail line will not only be faster in comparison but also be an economical way of transport.
Land Acquisition Gains Momentum
The East Coast Railway has already begun the land acquisition process for the Puri-Konark rail line. For this, about 521.48 acres of land will be acquired. The land acquisition process is being carried out under the Railway (Amendment) Act, 2008.
Out of this land area, about 438.81 acres is private land spread across 36 villages. 82.67 acres is government-owned land located in 33 villages. Officials have stated that no forest land will be affected in this project.
For the financial year 2026-27, the project has received an allocation of INR 138.38 crore. This budget has been issued for land acquisition and construction work.
The authorities have issued notifications across several villages in Puri and Gop tehsils. In Puri tehsil, the notifications cover nine villages and 108.43 acres of land. In Gop tehsil, 24 villages covering about 242.14 acres of land have been included in the land acquisition process.
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Plan To Boost Tourism In Odisha
The Puri-Konark rail line is part of the larger coastal railway network planned between Bhubaneswar, Puri, and Konark. The Railway Board approved the project in February 2024 and it was later declared to be a Special Railway Project.
This railway project in Odisha is expected to boost tourism and business activity along the state’s coastal belt. The railway corridor will provide a direct, fast, and economical travel option between the Jagannath Temple in Puri and the UNESCO-listed Konark Sun Temple.
By connecting big and small towns and villages along the way, it will also support local economies and connect them to larger urban centers.
Officials have ensured that the final railway alignment does not disrupt the forest areas and eco-sensitive zones near the Balukhand Sanctuary.
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Summing Up
The Puri-Konark rail line project is expected to boost tourism as well as the local economy as it connects two of the most commercially significant tourist centers in Odisha. The land acquisition process has begun and is gaining momentum. The 32-km rail line will be planned in a way that causes minimal disruption to the local ecology.
