New Rail Line to Connect Bhubaneswar with Konark Sun Temple

Bhubaneswar: Visitors to the world-famous Sun Temple in Konark will soon be able to reach the seaside town by train, with the Centre approving a key step in the long-pending railway project.

Union Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a letter to Odisha Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, confirmed the sanction of the Final Location Survey (FLS) for a new railway line between Bhubaneswar and Konark. The proposed route will pass through Nimapara and Gop areas in Puri district.

The development follows a request from Parida, who represents Nimapara in the Assembly, urging the Centre to construct the line through her constituency. Expressing gratitude to the Railways Minister, she said the sanctioning of the FLS paves the way for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR).

“This long-awaited initiative will not only establish a direct rail link between the state capital and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Konark, but also bring immense benefits to the people of Gop and Nimapara,” said Parida.

According to her, the project will boost tourism, strengthen local economies, help farmers and producers, and improve access to healthcare and education for residents. “This transformative project will bring lasting benefits to our people,” she added.