Bhubaneswar, 06 May (H.S.): East Coast Railway has clarified that the formation of the South Coast Railway will not result in any loss to Odisha, dismissing reports suggesting otherwise as “misleading and motivated.”

In an official statement issued on Wednesday, ECoR said concerns about the state losing railway jurisdiction or infrastructure benefits due to the reorganisation are factually incorrect and are creating unnecessary confusion among the public.

The Railway authorities explained that out of the 696-km route under the existing Waltair Division, all sections located within Odisha will continue to remain under the proposed Rayagada Division. These include key routes such as Koraput–Singapur Road, Kottavalasa–Kirandul (KK Line), Kuneru–Therubali, and Gunupur–Paralakhemundi.

ECoR emphasised that no railway section or territory of Odisha is being transferred to the administrative control of Andhra Pradesh as part of the restructuring process. The clarification comes in the backdrop of ongoing public and political discussions regarding the potential impact of the new railway zone on the state’s interests.

Railway officials reiterated that the reorganisation has been undertaken purely for operational efficiency and administrative convenience, and will not adversely affect Odisha in any manner.

Reaffirming its position, East Coast Railway urged citizens not to be misled by what it termed “factually incorrect and purpose-driven propaganda” surrounding the issue.

Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda