The impending bifurcation of the East Coast Railway (ECoR) and the operationalisation of the South Coast Railway (SCoR) Zone in Andhra Pradesh have triggered a political storm in Odisha. Concerns are mounting over the significant revenue loss expected to affect ECoR, with demands for compensation gaining momentum across the state.
Bone of Contention: KK Line and Revenue Loss
At the heart of the controversy is the lucrative Kothavalasa-Kirandul (KK) Line, a 446-km freight corridor passing through the mineral-rich regions of Odisha and Chhattisgarh. Currently under ECoR’s Waltair division, a significant portion of this corridor is proposed to be transferred to the SCoR, threatening Odisha’s revenue streams.
The ECoR, which earns approximately ₹29,000 crore annually, risks losing ₹6,000 crore if the KK Line and key revenue sources like Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and Gangavaram Port are delinked. This would reduce ECoR’s dominance as the top revenue-generating zone in Indian Railways.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) outlines plans to split the KK Line at Araku station, with 106 km of the line under Vijayawada division and the remaining 340 km under Rayagada division. While the SCoR will manage 3,496 km of rail routes, ECoR’s jurisdiction will shrink to 2,321 km.
Odisha’s Demands for Compensation
Amid growing dissatisfaction, stakeholders in Odisha have demanded that the Waltair division be retained under ECoR. If operational requirements make this unfeasible, they propose merging Odisha’s rail sections currently under the South Eastern Railway (SER) and South East Central Railway (SECR) with ECoR to offset the losses.
Odisha’s demands include the following:
- The merger of high-revenue lines like Jareikela-Bondamunda-Rourkela-Jharsuguda and Ib-Belpahar-Brajarajnagar with ECoR.
- The inclusion of Bansapani-Barbil and Ranital-Rupsa-Bangiriposi lines.
- A direct link between Rayagada and ECoR, possibly through the completion of the Gunupur-Therubali line, recently sanctioned by the Centre at a cost of ₹1,326 crore.
Political Reactions
The issue has spurred intense political debates. Former Union Minister Srikant Jena has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the fortification of ECoR instead of dismantling its structure.
BJD leaders have also voiced strong opposition, with senior MLA Ranendra Pratap Swain demanding clarity from the Centre and accusing the government of sidelining Odisha’s interests. “ECoR is the pride of the state. The bifurcation will severely harm Odisha’s economy, and we will not accept this injustice,” said Swain.
Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo, however, assured that BJP MPs have met Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who promised that railway lines within Odisha under ECoR would not be transferred to the new zone. He also highlighted the ₹107-crore tender for setting up a new divisional headquarters in Rayagada as a step toward safeguarding Odisha’s interests.
Public Discontent and the Way Forward
Odisha’s citizens have expressed widespread discontent over the perceived neglect of their state in favor of Andhra Pradesh. The BJD has raised the issue in the Odisha Assembly, demanding a clear compensation plan to address the anticipated revenue loss.
If the Centre proceeds with the bifurcation, Odisha’s leaders insist that steps must be taken to bring high-revenue railway lines under ECoR’s jurisdiction and ensure direct connectivity for Rayagada division.
Conclusion
The bifurcation of ECoR, driven by the operationalisation of SCoR, has emerged as a contentious issue with far-reaching implications for Odisha’s economy and political landscape. As the Centre moves forward with the reorganisation, the voices of protest from Odisha are growing louder, demanding equitable solutions to protect the state’s interests and maintain its economic stability.