Expanding rail infrastructure, the central government has initiated, “Janjatiya Gaurav Corridor” to promote rail connectivity in tribal dominated regions.
According to the Indian Railways, in order to push the rail infrastructure in tribal regions in coming years, a complete new rail line project “Janjatiya Gaurav Corridor” costing Rs 70,000 crore has been included in the Budget for FY 2023-24.
The Railways maintains that sanction of new railway lines in areas which are not connected by Railway network, including Janjatiya Gaurav Corridor, is a continuous and ongoing process.
Detailed project reports (DPRs) of the projects identified under the corridor, including those falling fully/partly in the state of Odisha, have been taken up which entails consultations with various stakeholders including state governments, public representatives, organisations/rail users/tribal people etc.
The projects are appraised based on the parameters brought out in the DPR, after firming up of various parameters including traffic projections and socio-economic benefits.
During the last three years — FY 2020-21, FY 2021-22, FY 2022-23 and current FY 2023-24 — 32 surveys (19 new line and 13 doubling) having a total length of 1,467 km falling fully/partly in the state of Odisha have been completed.
New line projects are taken forward on the basis of remunerativeness, last mile connectivity, missing links and alternate routes, augmentation of congested/saturated lines, socio-economic considerations etc. depending upon throw forward of ongoing projects, overall availability of funds and competing demands.