ECoR Launches ₹1,061-Crore Fencing Project to Boost Rail Safety

Bhubaneswar: In a major safety initiative aimed at enhancing railway security and enabling higher train speeds, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has launched extensive fencing work across various railway sections under its jurisdiction. The project, covering 3,133 track kilometres, has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of over ₹1,061 crore.

The fencing work is being executed across three divisions — Khordha Road, Sambalpur, and Waltair.

In the Khordha Road Division, fencing work is underway over 1,255 km at a cost of ₹458 crore on the Bhadrak–Palasa, Khordha Road–Puri, and Nergundi–Kerjang sections. Additionally, 287 km of fencing on the Jakhpura–Jaroli section, estimated at over ₹98 crore, is under sanction.

In the Sambalpur Division, 1,278 km of fencing work is ongoing at a cost exceeding ₹404 crore along the Jharsuguda Road–Sambalpur City–Kerejong, Balangir–Theruvali, and Pansana–Balangir sections. Another 316.5 km on the Lakholi–Titlagarh route, estimated at ₹93.43 crore, is also under sanction.

In the Waltair Division, 600 km of fencing work is progressing at a cost of ₹199.27 crore along the Palasa–Visakhapatnam–Dubhwada and Vizianagaram–Singapur Road sections.

ECoR officials stated that the fencing aims to ensure safer train operations, prevent unauthorised access, and reduce incidents involving cattle and wild animals near railway tracks. The initiative underscores ECoR’s commitment to building a safer and more efficient railway network across eastern India.