Indian Railways is stepping up its infrastructure expansion to strengthen freight transportation and increase revenue. The Ministry of Railways has approved major rail connectivity projects linking Paradip Port in Odisha, one of India's key cargo-handling hubs, with an investment of around ₹3,300 crore.
Under the plan, approximately 98 km of additional rail infrastructure will be developed across two routes. The projects are aimed at improving the movement of coal, steel, pig iron and other bulk commodities from Paradip Port.
Railways Targets ₹1.89 Lakh Crore Freight Revenue
Indian Railways has set a freight revenue target of ₹1.89 lakh crore for FY2026-27, representing an increase of around 5.8% over the projected ₹1.78 lakh crore for FY2025-26.
The Railways transported approximately 1.67 billion tonnes of freight in FY2025-26. Freight volumes are expected to rise to around 1.76 billion tonnes in FY2026-27.
The growth strategy includes improving rail infrastructure around major ports so that more heavy cargo can be transported by rail instead of road.
₹3,300 Crore Plan for Paradip Port Connectivity
Paradip Port handled a record 156.45 million tonnes of cargo in FY2025-26. To improve the movement of cargo from the port, two major rail projects have been planned.
Haridaspur–Paradip: 53 Km Doubling Project
The 53-km Haridaspur–Paradip route currently has a single railway line. The Railways plans to double the line to increase capacity and reduce congestion.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the project has been approved, with an estimated cost of approximately ₹1,100 crore.
Cuttack–Paradip: 45 Km Expansion
The 45-km Cuttack–Paradip route already has two railway lines. Under the new project, two additional lines will be constructed, taking the total to four lines.
The estimated cost of this project is around ₹2,210 crore, and its DPR is in the final stages of approval.
Together, the two projects will add approximately 98 km of rail capacity around Paradip Port.
Projects Expected to Be Completed by 2030-31
The Ministry of Railways plans to begin land acquisition soon to keep the projects on schedule.
According to the plan, tenders will be floated after at least 90% of the required land has been acquired. Construction is expected to begin after the tendering process, with both projects targeted for completion by 2030-31.
The additional railway capacity is expected to help transport bulk commodities more efficiently while easing pressure on existing routes.
What Is Mission 3000?
The Paradip connectivity projects are also linked to Indian Railways' broader Mission 3000 strategy.
Under this initiative, the Railways aims to increase annual freight transportation capacity to 3,000 million tonnes by 2030-31.
A key part of the strategy is shifting more heavy freight from roads to railways. This could help reduce logistics costs, improve transportation efficiency and lower the time required to move bulk cargo across the country.
Why Port Connectivity Matters for Indian Railways
Ports handle enormous quantities of commodities such as coal, iron ore, steel and other raw materials. Efficient rail links allow these goods to move directly between ports, industrial centres and consumption hubs.
Improving rail connectivity to Paradip could therefore support both Indian Railways' freight business and the wider logistics network.
The expansion is particularly important as Paradip Port continues to handle rising cargo volumes. Additional railway lines can help reduce bottlenecks and improve the movement of freight during periods of high demand.
Major Ports Connected to the Rail Network
India's major ports already have extensive railway connectivity. Among them are ports on both the eastern and western coasts, including:
Paradip Port, Odisha
Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port, Kolkata/Haldia
Visakhapatnam Port, Andhra Pradesh
Kamarajar Port, Tamil Nadu
Chennai Port, Tamil Nadu
V.O. Chidambaranar Port, Tamil Nadu
Cochin Port, Kerala
New Mangalore Port, Karnataka
Mormugao Port, Goa
Mumbai Port, Maharashtra
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA), Maharashtra
Deendayal Port, Gujarat
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