Controversy Erupts in Odisha Over Railway Division Split
Railway Board move to split Khurda Road division triggers Odisha row
Business Standard
Image: Business Standard
The Railway Board's decision to transfer the Palasa-Ichchapuram section from Khurda Road division in Odisha to the South Coast Railway zone in Andhra Pradesh has sparked significant controversy. Critics argue this move threatens Odisha's revenue and control over vital railway assets, with potential losses estimated at nearly ₹6,000 crore (approximately $720 million USD).
- 01The Railway Board is bifurcating the Khurda Road division, affecting Odisha's railway control.
- 02The Palasa-Ichchapuram section will be transferred to Andhra Pradesh's South Coast Railway zone.
- 03Earnings from the East Coast Railway (ECoR) could drop by nearly ₹6,000 crore due to this change.
- 04Political opposition in Odisha is strong, with calls for a rollback of the decision.
- 05Concerns are raised about the impact on regional logistics and revenue flows.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The Railway Board's recent decision to bifurcate the Khurda Road division under the East Coast Railway (ECoR) zone in Odisha has ignited a political uproar. The Palasa-Ichchapuram section, a 50-km stretch located in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh, will be moved to the proposed South Coast Railway (SCoR) zone, headquartered in Visakhapatnam. This change is perceived as a threat to Odisha's revenue and control over key railway assets. ECoR, which generates over ₹29,000 crore (approximately $3.5 billion USD) annually, could face a revenue loss of nearly ₹6,000 crore (around $720 million USD) if significant sections are transferred. The controversy has revived longstanding demands for consolidating all railway sections within Odisha under ECoR, as several districts remain under other railway jurisdictions. Political leaders from both the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Biju Janata Dal (BJD) have united in their opposition to the decision, warning of its detrimental financial implications for the state. They argue that the transfer of the Palasa-Ichchapuram section, deemed the 'economic artery of southern Odisha,' could disrupt regional logistics and revenue flows, prompting calls for the creation of a separate railway division in Berhampur.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The bifurcation of the Khurda Road division could significantly affect local economies in Odisha, particularly in terms of revenue generation from freight traffic.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you support the Railway Board's decision to transfer the Palasa-Ichchapuram section?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.

