After nearly a decade of slow progress, railway connectivity projects linking Jeypore with Nabarangpur and Malkangiri in southern Odisha have begun to move forward, with authorities initiating land compensation payments to affected villagers, according to a report by Times of India.

First proposed in the Union Budget for 2016-17, the two railway lines, a 42 km stretch to Nabarangpur and a longer 130 km route to Malkangiri, are expected to enhance connectivity, support local trade, and bring remote tribal areas closer to mainstream economic activity.

The disbursement of compensation has started in Jeypore tehsil, where tehsildar Sabyasachi Jena confirmed that Rs 37 crore has been allocated for 15 villages. “Land will be acquired for the Jeypore-Nabarangpur line in at least eight villages of Jeypore tehsil and seven villages for the Jeypore-Malkangiri railway line. Payments are currently underway in Tatibeda, Majurmunda and Badakaudi villages and will soon begin in other villages,” he was quoted as saying in the report.

Land acquisition will also extend to Borigumma and Boipariguda tehsils. For the Malkangiri line, land spanning over 1,056 acres across 71 villages in Koraput and Malkangiri districts will be required, while the Nabarangpur line involves acquisition of nearly 700 acres across 27 villages in Koraput and Nabarangpur.

Despite the recent push, the projects have faced repeated setbacks, largely due to administrative challenges, including frequent transfers of land acquisition officials and staff shortages. Under a 2017 cost-sharing agreement, the state government will bear full land acquisition costs and share construction expenses with the Centre, signalling a joint push to finally deliver these long-awaited rail links.