Koraput: The long-pending railway connectivity projects linking Jeypore with Nabarangpur and Malkangiri have gathered momentum, with the Koraput administration commencing compensation disbursement for land acquisition nearly a decade after its announcement in the Union Budget of 2016-17.The Jeypore-Nabarangpur railway line, spanning about 42km, and the Jeypore-Malkangiri line, covering nearly 130km, have been long-standing demands in southern Odisha. The projects are expected to significantly improve regional connectivity, boost trade and enhance access to remote tribal areas once completed.Compensation distribution has started in Jeypore tehsil where tehsildar Sabyasachi Jena said Rs 37 crore has been received for 15 affected villages. “Land will be acquired for the Jeypore-Nabarangpur line in at least eight villages of Jeypore tehsil and seven villages for the Jeypore-Malkangiri railway line. Payments are currently underway in Tatibeda, Majurmunda and Badakaudi villages and will soon begin in other villages,” he said.Apart from Jeypore, land will also be acquired in Borigumma and Boipariguda tehsils of the district.Despite the recent progress, the projects have faced delays due to frequent transfers of special land acquisition officers and shortage of staff, resulting in uneven advancement on the ground. For the Jeypore-Malkangiri line, land acquisition will cover 42 villages in Malkangiri district and 29 villages in Koraput, covering about 1,056.6155 acres. In comparison, the Jeypore-Nabarangpur line requires acquisition of around 699.784 acres across six villages in Nabarangpur district and 21 villages in Koraput.“Connecting Nabarangpur and Malkangiri districts with railway lines has been a long-standing demand of people. It is encouraging that after years of delay, compensation payment has finally begun,” Bidyut Mohanty, a Koraput-based activist, said.Koraput collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan appeared optimistic about the projects’ impact. “Once completed, the twin railway lines will promote tourism, industrialisation and strengthen the tribal economy, besides providing better transportation,” he said.According to official records, under the cost-sharing MoU signed in 2017 between the state govt and the ministry of railways, the state will bear the entire land cost, along with 50% of the Rs 750 crore estimated cost for the Jeypore-Nabarangpur line and 25% of the Rs 2,700 crore estimated cost for the Jeypore-Malkangiri line.
