TNI Bureau: Amid rising concerns over the transfer of certain stations to the South Coast Railway (SCoR), the Indian Railways has issued a detailed clarification, asserting that the move is purely technical and does not affect Odisha’s interests.

According to the clarification, the Palasa–Ichchapuram section, covering around 50 km, includes seven stations – Palasa, Summadevi, Mandasa Road, Baruva, Sompeta, Jhadupudi, and Ichchapuram, all of which are located in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district. Railways emphasised that none of these stations fall within Odisha’s geographical limits.

Addressing revenue concerns, officials noted that these are small to mid-sized passenger stations with minimal freight activity. Consequently, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) will not suffer any revenue loss. Freight movement across the հատված will continue seamlessly, as inter-zonal operations remain unaffected by administrative jurisdiction.

Railways further assured that there will be no disruption to existing train services. Key passenger trains, including Palasa–Bhubaneswar, Palasa–Cuttack, and Ichchapuram–Cuttack services, will continue to run without any change in schedule, route, or frequency.
Describing the move as a “technical reorganisation” aimed at improving operational efficiency under the Visakhapatnam division, authorities said modalities of the transfer, including staff deployment, are being finalised. Employee interests and service conditions, they added, will be fully protected.

Reiterating its commitment to Odisha, the Railways highlighted ongoing investments in infrastructure, station modernisation, and new services, including Vande Bharat trains and the recently created Rayagada division under ECoR.