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Colonial Beginnings

The railway age in Odisha began in the late 19th century. The first train ran from Khurda to Bhubaneswar on July 20, 1896. Despite early proposals like Stephenson's 1845 draft for a Calcutta-Madras railroad, Odisha was initially neglected due to its fragmented political status.

The Bengal-Orissa Famine of 1866 highlighted the need for better transport. Public pressure through Utkal Sabha (1874) and local leaders in Balasore (1881) drove railway development.

Railway Expansion

In 1887, the Bengal Nagpur Railway Company was formed. By 1895, the government sanctioned the Sini to Cuttack line, including a bridge over the Mahanadi. The Kharagpur-Cuttack section opened in 1898–99.

The East Coast Railway was approved in 1890. The Bhubaneswar-Khurda section opened in 1896, followed by Cuttack-Bhubaneswar in 1897.

State Railways

Mayurbhanja State Railway: Maharaja Ramachandra Bhanja Deo initiated a narrow-gauge line from Rupsa to Talbandh, opened in 1905 and extended by 1920.

Parlakhemundi Light Railway: Built by the Raja of Parlakhemundi, this 2'6" gauge line connected Naupada to Parlakhemundi, sanctioned in 1900 and extended in 1929–31.

Economic and Social Impact

The Bengal Nagpur Railway revolutionised communication in Odisha, linking it to Calcutta and facilitating trade, resource exploration, and migration.

Conclusion

The history of railways in Odisha reflects a journey from colonial neglect to strategic development. Public advocacy, economic necessity, and imperial interests shaped the railway landscape, which continues to evolve as a vital part of Odisha's infrastructure.