Visitors approaching Paralakhemundi railway station are greeted by a sprawling new terminal building, its colourful façade reflecting the promise of modern rail travel. Yet, standing sombrely beside the fresh structure is a stately white, British-era building, weathered but dignified, that continues to control the station’s core operations and narrates a remarkable chapter of Odisha’s railway heritage.The renovated old station building still houses the booking office, station master’s office, and signalling and telecommunications (S&T) systems department, holding on to the operational heart of the station. Amid the gloss of redevelopment, it serves as a mute yet powerful reminder of the region’s pioneering foray into rail connectivity more than a century ago.The story dates back to March 14, 1898, when Maharaja Gourachandra Gajapati, ruler of the erstwhile Paralakhemundi princely state, secured British approval to build a railway line linking his capital to Naupada Junction on the Chennai (Madras)-Howrah main line. The line was developed under the Paralakimedi Light Railway (PLR), making it one of India’s earliest privately owned royal railway ventures.Constructed at a cost of Rs 7 lakh, the line and station infrastructure were completed by 1899, and train services commenced on April 1, 1900. The railway marked Odisha’s first privately owned line, underscoring the visionary leadership of the Gajapati rulers.With the Indian Railways Act, 1890, coming into effect for the line, Bengal Nagpur Railway (BNR) took over operations on Jan 1, 1902. Though initially loss-making, the line began yielding marginal profits after 1910, with earnings improving further by 1924-25. The network later expanded to Gunupur by 1931, extending its regional significance.Over time, the 2.5-ft-narrow gauge track was upgraded to broad gauge — reaching Paralakhemundi by 2010 and Gunupur by 2011. Infrastructure improvements continued, with a second line added at the station in 2018 to ease traffic management.When railway authorities initiated redevelopment plans recently, concerns were raised about the fate of the historic building. In May 2023, locals, historians, and heritage enthusiasts — along with the Odisha chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Intach) —urged railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw not to demolish the structure.The appeals found resonance. The railways eventually decided to preserve and renovate the old station building while constructing a new facility inspired by the local culture and royal architectural motifs.“East Coast Railway remains steadfastly committed to fulfilling the modern aspirations of the people of Paralakhemundi, while honouring the proud cultural heritage and storied history of the Paralakhemundi Light Railway,” said Deepak Rout, chief public relations officer, East Coast Railway.Today, the station stands as a testimony to the past and the present — where heritage infrastructure coexists with modern amenities, ensuring the continuity rather than slipping into oblivion.Local researcher Bishnu Mohan Adhikary described the PLR as a “remarkable symbol of Odisha’s royal and railway heritage”, tracing its origins to Maharaja Goura Chandra Gajapati Narayan Deb and its later expansion under Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati.Terming it as one of India’s oldest privately managed royal railway lines, Adhikary stressed the need for national recognition and preservation. He has also urged the ministry of railways to grant heritage status to the station and rename it “MKCG–PLH” in honour of Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati and the Gajapati dynasty’s railway legacy.Researcher Adhikary further proposed establishing a dedicated heritage museum at Paralakhemundi to showcase archival photographs, preserved components and historical records linked to the PLR. He suggested that artefacts currently displayed in museums elsewhere, such as Nagpur, should be brought back for local exhibition. Restoration and display of an original PLR engine at the station would help create a tangible link to the past.For now, the preserved station building continues to stand tall, not just as an operational facility but as a silent custodian of a legacy where royalty, enterprise and railway history blend.
