(Thanks to http://kddf.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/information-about-subarnapur-district-handloom-cluster/  for the inspiration to write about this.)

The following is from the pages http://www.indianhandloomscluster-dchl.net/index.asp.

The overall handloom situation in Orissa is as per the following table:

Among those, Bargarh and Sonepur are among the 20 pilot clusters.

The page for the Baragarh cluster is http://www.indianhandloomscluster-dchl.net/Bargarh/Index.asp. Following is some information from that page.

Bargarh Handloom cluster is spread over the entire Block of Bargarh, Attabira, Bijepur and Sohella. The cluster has 7158 numbers of looms as per the survey report of the zonal Handloom office taken up during the year 2004 out of which 5102 looms are working in 299 different villages. The main products of the cluster are cotton sarees of tie and dye and small amount of dress materials, lungis and napkins etc. The annual production is around 10 Crores rupees. The products of this area are mostly marketed in Orissa and National market. The cluster so to say represents Orissa in quantitative and qualitative Tie and Dye Cotton Sarees as no other clusters of other districts in Orissa produces such sarees.

… The weaving in the cluster by the traditional weavers’ community popularly known as "Bhulia" came in to existence during mid of 17th  century and with increase in their population, they spread to other nearby places. They initially belong to Rajasthan and were presented during the 14th  century to the ruler of Patna State, a king of Chouhan dynasty "Ramai Deb". Later on they were presented to the king of Sonepur during the 16th  century and scattered to the nearby district i.e., Bargarh in the next century.

The cluster consists sizable number of professional weavers (Non traditional) from Schedule Caste and  Schedule Tribe (Kuli caste) weavers, which in total accounts for 60 %. Generally these weavers are less skilled and engaged in production of Napkin, Lungi,  Sarees, Dhotis, etc.

Weaving with Tie dye in the cluster prior to 40”s was done with 40”/42” looms operated with hanging slay and engaged in producing Kapta, Lungi and Napkins made of 12’s/16’s/20’s cotton yarn. The yarns were dyed with vegetable colours. The main colours were Yellow (from Turmeric), Maroon (From bark of Aal tree), Blue form Nile and Black (From Hirakasi and Chakda Seeds). Fabrics of vegetable colours were sometimes not fast and ranges of colours were also limited, forcing the Tie-Dye production in to limited colours and so also the design. Such practice was on vogue till the mid of 40s when vat colour was first substituted for in place   of some vegetable colours.

The next major changes in the cluster took place with the introduction of twisted cotton mercerized yarn and synthetic colours in the early 60’s. The looms started widening mainly to 52" width for normal sarees and other production and 90" for double bed sheet production. There were also few 60” / 72" looms to accommodate weaving of middle-sized bed sheets.

Activities in the cluster started taking momentum with the involvement of Late Padmashree Dr. Krutartha Acharya and his four associates in the cluster area during 1942 and started their business with production on limited numbers of looms. Later he converted his business in to a co operative society named Sambalpuri Bastralaya, registered during the year 1954 under "Bihar and Orissa Co operative Societies Act" and established in Bargarh town. This is the first firm in the cluster, which took the leadership in weaving activities of cluster and stood as a milestone in its history.

… Unlike the Tie-Dye work of other states of India, the motif and designs of the cluster are infinite in number and every motif or design is categorized under a special caption. No design is let out without giving it a name. It shows the creative mind of the weavers of the region.

The page for the Sonepur cluster is http://www.indianhandloomscluster-dchl.net/Sonepur/Index.asp. Following is some information from that page.

The writing in the stones of Kahandagiri cave Orissa suggests that the art of weaving was in Orissa before 600 B.C. Similarly some carving in the temples of Sonepur cluster (Baidyanath) indicates that weaving was in existence in the area during prior to 9th B.C. Besides weaving with cotton yarn, there was also weaving with wild silk (Tassar), wool and fibers from stem of lotus. The tie-dye weaving in western Orissa came in to existence during mid of 14th century when 100 weaver’s families were brought from Raipur area of Madhya Pradesh by the then ruler of Patnagarh Sri Ramai Dev. The weavers’ later on titled as Meher and their caste known as Bhulia. Such weavers were traditionally weaving the tie and dye fabrics. Orissa has also history of exporting handloom to south-east Asia countries like Thailand, Java, Borrneo and Sumatra (Last three are Island of Indonesia) during pre-independence period in sea route. It is therefore also the bank of river Mahanadi and some other big river of Orissa has developed weaving culture.

The Bomkai Designs are the traditional designs in production in the village named Bomkai in Ganjam District of Orissa. Latter on it is introduced in Sonepur. Before 1950’s the main product mix of this cluster was cotton sari and Dhotis. The main occupation of "Bhulia" community was weavings. Weavers had looms of short width and they used to weave cotton sari of length 12ft and its width was 36 inches. During that period, cotton yarn of (10 to 40) counts were available in the market.

Weavers by own used to sell woven sari at nearby locally market and whatever they got remuneration by selling the sari, they used to brought yarn for further weaving. During this period, due to absence of chemical dyes, mainly vegetable dye was used to dye the yarn. Vegetable dye had limited colours i,e yellow (From Turmeric), Maroon (From bark of Aal trees), Blue (Nile) and black (Hirakasi and Chakda seeds). The colour of vegetable dyes was not fast in the fabrics. The vegetable dye has limited ranges of colour that limit the design of tie & dye fabrics. During mid of 1950’s the late Padamshree Sri Kruthartha Acharya was the up-coming entrepreneur in handloom sector. He was belonging to Bargarh sub-division which was neighbouring district of Sonepur. He had installed 200 looms at Sonepur and established a unit for producing handloom sarees. During mid of 1960’s, lots of modifications were done to upgrade the handloom sector of Sonepur. The widths of looms were widening up to (48 to 50) inches; mercerized yarns of finer quality (60 counts) were introduced. Shri Kruthartha Acharya also introduced chemical dyes. Many weavers were trained to adopt the change. Due to introduction of chemical dye, the ranges of colour shed were increased which helps the weavers to produce variety of design in tie and dye fabrics. Slowly other weavers of the cluster adopted the new technology. Dr Acharya also searched other market by promoting the Sonepur product in other States by participating in exhibition and fair conducted by handloom department, Govt. of India. He also used to purchase the woven sari from weaver and used to supply raw materials and design to them. This helped the weavers to only concentrate on production work instead of marketing the products. Latter on during 1954, Dr. Achaya converted his firm into cooperative society named Sambalpuri Bastrayala Handloom Cooperative Society Ltd, Bargarh, which is at present stand as a leading PWCS of not only the State but also of the country. During mid Seventies G.O.O. initiated a corporation called Orissa Handloom Development Corporation which grew and decayed in two decades and has been liquidated recently. The other major changes taken place in the cluster was introduction of silk yarn in early 1980’s. The body part of silk fabric was woven with silk yarn and Anchal by cotton tie and dye. It took two – three years to develop Jala design which helped the weaver to design the fabric in simple way. This Bomkai design were developed in the late 80’s and introduced in early 1990’s in the cluster. Since then, the permutation and combination of designs involving in tie-dye, Bomkai, Jala etc are practicing in the cluster. Latter on Body design was also developed to make the fabric more attractive and Zari were used to add value to the fabric. Weaver co-operative societies were the major firms operating in the handloom sectors. These societies were large in number during mid of 90’s. The entry of private entrepreneurs and private traders started from 1980’s. Padamshri Chaturbhuj Meher had entered in this sector in early 1980’s and had great contribution in this sector. On the other hand gradual reduce in the Government subsidies, declining support from apex WCS, closure of Handloom Development corporation and mismanagement at the primary wcs level are the main reasons of reduction in the number of active co-operative societies. Unlike the Tie-Dye work in the other part of India, the motif and design of the cluster are infinite in number and every motif or design is characterized under a special caption. No design is let out without giving it a name. It shows the creative mind of the weavers of region. Orissa had 129236 (1951), 119005 (1987) and 92869 (1996) as per the handloom figure census, which shows the continuous decline in the loom position. The total looms in Sonepur district is 7243 (As per the survey conducted by ADT office Sonepur). The product mixes are cotton sari, silk sari and dress material. The total production of the cluster in the Co-Operative Sector is Rs 985.46 lacs.

The two main access point to this hill is the Nrushinghanath Temple (Baragarh district) in the North side and the Harishankar temple and falls (Balangir district) in the south side. The road distance between the two is 40 kms and one can walk on the mountain top between these two places through a day long 16 km hike. The following three maps show these areas.

Following is from the site http://www.orissatourism.gov.in/nrusingh.html.

Located in the sacred Gandhamardan Hills, which according to legends, Hanuman carried on his shoulders from the Himalayas as described in the ancient epic Ramayana, the temple at Nrusinghanath is an important pilgrimage site. It is also an exceedingly fascinating and beautifully  located temple and is worth the journey to this rather remote spot.

The present temple, located at the source of the Papaharini stream, is a 14th century structure built on a more ancient site. The four pillars within the Jagmohana suggest that the earlier temple was built in the 9th century. The beautiful doorframes have been dated to the 11th century.

The site of the temple is unique. Stone steps wind up the hillside behind the temple, leading past a  waterfall, and eventually curving under the falls to a spot where some beautiful, and very well- preserved relief sculptures are found. The climb to the carvings and return journey will take about an hour. Since shoes are not permitted on these sanctified pilgrimage steps, those with tender feet should take along a pair of heavy socks for the climb.

On the opposite slope of the hill on which the temple is located, is the Harishankar Temple. Between the two temples there is a 16 km. plateau, littered with Buddhist ruins that scholars feel may be the remains of the ancient university of Parimalagiri, referred to by the seventh-century Chinese traveler Hiuen T’sang as ‘Po-lo-mo-lo-ki-li’. The trek along this plateau is a long one, but for the serious student of history, it is an unforgettable experience.

Following is from http://www.mapsofindia.com/orissa/tourism/harishankar-falls.html.

he Harishankar Falls is located in Balangir, on the Southern slope of the Gandhamardhan hills. The waters of the Harishankar Falls gushes down the slopes in a series of captivating waterfalls that creates an out of the world scene.

At a distance of about 81 Kilometers is located the pilgrimage site of Harishankar. This locations is encapsulated in the charm of nature and is the shrine of the dual Hindu deity, Hari and Shankar. A very holy place for both the Vaishnavs and the Shaivites, Harishankar is the popular pilgrimage spot. The Harishankar Falls is a part of this pious place and the water of the Harishankar Falls cascades down to the granite floor of the shrines. The Harishankar Falls also acts as a natural shower for the pilgrims.

The site http://satyeshnaik.blogspot.com/2008/08/trip-to-nursinghnathnursinghanath.html has some beautiful pictures of the area.

There seems to be at least two areas in Orissa named as Gandhamardan; the Gandhamardan hills of Baragarh and Balangir districts and the Gandhamardan peak of Keonjhar. Recently tathya.in wrote about an appeal by Dr. Sanjib Karmee about the Gandhamardan hills of Bragarh-Balangir. The well researched appeal prompted me to do some more research and based on that I suggest that the Government of Orissa push the Government of India to declare the whole of Gandhamardan Hill as a national botanical heritage and reserve and create several research centers on ayurveda, medicine, pharmacy, forestry, just outside of that area.

Following are some excerpts from old news about Gandhamardan hill in Bragarh-Balangir.

1. Excerpts from a June 17, 2008 article in Business Standard:

When Balco tried to obtain a mining lease for Gandamardhan 22 years ago, veteran activists like Anil Agarwal of the Centre for Science and Environment, Sunderlal Bahuguna and the Gandhamardan Yuva Surakshya Sena fought the company tooth and nail. The state government had given in to the activists’ demands then.

… The destruction of local flora and fauna and the disruption of cultural life of the mostly tribal communities in the area are also cited as reasons for opposing these projects.

Another sensitive aspect of the opposition is the religious significance of the hill for both tribal communities in the area and Hindus.

The hill is mentioned in the epic Ramayana. According to legend, the mythological Hanuman plucked a portion of the hill to heal Lakshmana during the battles in Lanka.

The two sides of the slopes also have ancient temples that are significant to local faiths — the Nrusingha Nath temple on the Bargarh side of the hill and the Harshankar temple on the Balangir side.

The hill is rich in herbal wealth and ayurveda colleges are situated on both sides, said environment activist in Orissa, Ranjan Panda.

2. February 24, 2007 ANI article in webindia123.com:

In a novel initiative, the Orissa Government has commenced a project to promote medicinal plantation at Gandhamardan Hills in Bolangir District.

Besides, the project also aims at uplifting the tribals’ life, residing in the hills’ vicinity, which are famous for their natural scenic panorama of rivulets and medicinal plants. ccording to the Divisional Forest Officer of the range, the tribes are now earning much more than before as the society purifies the minor forest produce and after proper packing, sell them in the market.

"This project was launched with the help of the Centre and the State Government. About 1.83 crores have been used for five years and this is the third year of the project. The main aim of the project is to preserve propagate and conserve the rich bio-diversity of the Gandhamardan Hills. Side by side this project has also improved the economic condition of the villagers who are dependent on the forest," said Sarat Mohanaty, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Gandhamardan Range iof Bolangir.

The greenery of Gandhamardan Hills overlaps Bolangir and Bargarh Districts, covering an area of nearly 18,629 hectares of reserved forest of land. Around 6512 hectares of this land falls under Bolangir District alone.

Earlier, ignorant about the actual worth of medicinal plants here, the tribals, living in Gandharmardan range, 80 kilometres from Bolangir District, used to be lured by middlemen, who purchased raw seeds, leaves and fruits of these medicinal herbs.

All these years, the species of these plants were exploited with no proper care and most of them had reached the stage of extinction.

Realising the danger posed by such disturbing trends, the Centre and State governments proposed a plan to protect these medicinal plants as well as raise the quality of tribals’ life. And later, the Vanaspati Vana project was set up by the Vanaspati Vana Society.

Under this project, ten villages have been identified and local committees in each village have been formed.

"With the help of the government, a Vanaspati Vana project has been set up in the Gandhamardan Hills range in Bolangir District. Ten villages near the Gandhamardan Hills have been earmarked in as the local chapters of Vanaspati Vana Society to look after the project," said Rajkumar Bhoi, President of the Vanaspati Vana Society.

According to villagers, since the formation of this Society, they have been earning enough to feed their family and are happy about the working of the society.

"After the formation of Vanaspati Vana project, the forest is being safe and also Gandhamardan. The medical plants, which were being neglected and wasted in the past, are being taken care of. Earlier, many fruits grown in the forest, were being bought by local businessmen from tribals at very cheap rates. After formation of Vanaspati Society the prices are set up and we sell accordingly. Seeing our success, Tribals from other villages are selling now their produce to get better prices," said Thabira Meher, a villager.

The tribals are protecting the forBesiest and are also collecting the minor forest produce and different roots of the medical plants, which are useful for medicine and can be sold at a good price. (ANI)

3. A headline in the Knowledge for development site (undated):

The Govt. of Orissa has banned mining along the Gandhamardan Hills through an ordinance in the state assembly today.

4. An article in Navratna News Jan-Feb 2008 by Netrabandhu Pradhan. Following are some excerpts:

the Gandhamardana has always attracted scientists interested in the study of plants. Even when the are was inaccessible, British Scientists and Botanists H.H. Haynes (1921-25) had identified several species of plants in this area. After 25 years i.e. in 1950 Herbert Muni visited this place and located 17 new species of plants. Later on renowned Oriya Botanist and Scientist of the Botanical Survery of India Dr. Gopinath Panigrahi (1963) published research paper on 125 species of precious medicinal plants available in the Gandhamardan. His paper was based on an extensive study made by him in this area. Realizing the rich potentiality of the area for containing more varieties of medicinal plants, Dr. Gopinath Panighrhi re-visited the place once again in 1964 along with a group of his associates who collected 300 varieties of species and herbs available in this area and prepared a catalogue on the basis of it. In 1990 M.Brahmam and Hari Om Saxena surveyed on the plants of Gandhamardan and identified 200 species of plants out of which the usefulness of 77 species of plants in the treatment of common ailments were highlighted. Again, in 1995 Saxena and Brahmam surveyed in the area of Gandhamardan and enlisted 781 plants species available there. R.C. Mishra (1990,1994,1996) worked in this mountain range and illustrated 920 species of plants. In the year 1994 P. Bilung, P.N. Pradhan and R.N. Pradhan Dept. of Botany, Panchayat College, Bargarh have surveyed the area and report the use of local Mahura plants from Aracei family. In 1999 N.B. Pradhan, R.N. Pradhan, P.Sahu and S.K. Sen made a detailed survey of the area and highlighted on many rare medicinal plants have shown concern about the decreasing population of these plants. The Vesaja Samity of Nrusinghnath, Padampur has been educating people on the plants and herbs available in Gandhamardan since 1994 and also organizing the Baidyas of the district of Bargarh and helping them in the proper identification of the medicinal plants. Sri Sri Nrusinghnath Ayurvedic Collegeand Research Institute in collaboration with the Department of Botany, Panchayat College, Bargarh have undertaken a Joint Venture in making a detailed survey of the area, identification and cataloguing of the plants and preparation of ‘herboriams’. In the recent past a Banaspati Bana Prakalpa ( 2003 ) has been launched by the Department of Forest and Environment, Govt. of Orissa, with assistance from the Govt. of India. The Project is making rapid strides under the supervisions of the Divisional Forest Officers of Bargarh and Bolangir Range. It is hoped that with the successful implementation of the project, it would contribute a lot in the protection, preservation and expansion of the plants.

Many survey works have been undertaken under the supervision of both the Department of Forest and the SSN Ayurvedic College, Nrusinghnath. One of the reports reveals that there is rapid deforestation in this area. These plants which were easily available in the post have become rare. Gandhamardan range of mountain that extended upto 1800 sq. k.m. was fully of dense forest and was replete with herbs and medicinal plants. But out of them several species have become rare. These include Barun, Kochila, Manjusha, Panki, Paldhua, Sunamukhi, Tamul, Bal Harida, Bhumi Kusmanda etc. Growing deforestation of Amla, Kuturi, Gudmari, Chhatiana, Meda, Bidanga is still underway. But all is not lost. There is still hope that as even now also one can find in the scrub forest living stumps of different species of plants. It is hoped that if the free entry of human intruders and the movement of stray cattles are prevented, green plants will again raise their heads covering the surface of the rock and the jungle will get back its lost luster and greenery.

… Gandhamardan range of Mountain is not only well known in the two districts of Orissa, but they are the objects of glory and pride for the entire state of Orissa and the neighboring Chhatisgarh. It has a rich tradition of its own. The rare Ayurvedic material Medical and valuable forest products once collected from these forests heave now become in obtainable. Deforestation in the area has assumed alarming proportion. If we still neglect its preservation, it will turn into a wasteland and will get extinct for ever and in such an event its dangerous consequences cannot be imagined. Yet it is never too late. Even today the Gandhamardan has not lost its glory. It is still possessing most of its materials within. If man undertakes fruitful ventures and stops behaving like a savage, it will again emerge as an impenetrable dense forest in its full glory.

5. A research paper in Bangladesh Journal of Plant Taxonomy titled "An assessment of floristic Diversity of Gandhamardan hill range, Orissa, India.

Abstract: The plant resources of Gandhamardan hill range were studied and analysed. A total of 912 vascular species belonging to 556 genera under 142 families were recorded. Herbs dominate the flora followed by trees, climbers and shrubs. Dominance of phanerophytes indicates the tropical moist and humid climate. Proper conservation and management plans are needed to save the natural resources, especially medicinal plants, of this sacred hill range.

…

Gandhamardan hill range is such a tropical moist deciduous system in Orissa, India. Due to diversified topography with twenty-two perennial streams, the hill range having most congenial environment for the luxuriant growth of plant resources. These resources are under severe threat due to over-exploitation by the local people for collection of firewood, fodder and medicinal plants and heavy incidence of grazing. Some sporadic works on floristic and ethnobotanical studies were carried out earlier (Raju, 1960; Panigrahi et al., 1964; Brahmam and Saxena, 1990a, b; Mishra et al., 1994, 2001; Misra and Behera, 1998; Mishra and Das, 2003; Misra, 2004). But, this floristically rich hill range with varied terrain conditions and environmental factors along with its phytogeographical position was not explored well in the past. The present study is, therefore, the first attempt to make an inventory and analysis of the entire flora of Gandhamardan hill range based on copious field observations, available literature and herbarium data, with a view to contribute to the overall knowledge of Gandhamardan flora and to the management of this sacred hill range.

…

Floristic composition: The floristic composition of the hill is remarkable in its diversity and luxuriance. Altogether, 912 vascular plant taxa pertaining to 142 families and 556 genera were collected. The dicotyledonous plants belonged to 106 families, 418 genera and 685 species, and the monocotyledonous plants to 21 families, 122 genera and 206 species. Pteridophytes were represented by 21 species belonging to 15 families and 16 genera. Analysis of flora shows a comparatively higher representation of herbaceous species (519) followed by 173 trees, 119 climbers and 101 shrubs. In comparison with the Orissa flora (total area 155,707 sq km) consisting of 2727 species (Saxena and Brahmam, 1996), 33.4% of species were recorded in the present study area. The recorded genera of the Gandhamardan flora were 52.4% of the Orissa flora, whereas the families covered 62.3%. A total number of 776 indigenous wild species, 64 introduced wild species and 72 cultivated species were found in the area. The species to genera ratio was 2.6 in Orissa flora, whereas it was 1.6 in the present study. The ratio of genera and family in the Gandhamardan flora was 3.9, whereas the value of the Orissa flora was 4.7. This indicates higher taxonomic diversity of the study area. Pielou (1975) and Magurran (1988) pointed out that, in intuitive terms, hierarchical (taxonomic) diversity will be higher in an area in which the species are divided amongst many genera as opposed to one in which most species belong to the same genus, and still higher as these genera are divided amongst many families as opposed to a few.

Exactly 50% of the recorded taxa belonged to only 13 species-rich families. The largest families in terms of number of species were Poaceae (90), Papilionaceae (68), Euphorbiaceae (45), Rubiaceae (41), Asteraceae (36), Cyperaceae (35), Acanthaceae (30), Caesalpiniaceae (20), Schrophulariaceae and Apocynaceae (each with 19 species). A total of 15 species of orchids belonging to 10 genera were also recorded. At genus level, Ficus showed the maximum diversity with 14 species. This was followed by Cyperus (11), Cassia (9), Blumea (8), Bauhinia, Grewia, Hedyotis, Indigofera (each with 7 species), Acacia and Alysicarpus (each with 6 species). Analysis of flora shows that most of the genera (388) are represented by single species and a very few genera are represented by more number of species. Asparagus gonoclados Baker, Corchorus trilocularis L., Enicostema axillare (Lam.) A. Raynal and Triumfetta rotundifolia Lam. were recorded new to the Flora of Orissa. Erythrina resupinata Roxb., Heterostemma tanjorense Wight & Arn. and Tylophora fasciculata Buch-Ham. ex Wight & Arn. are the unique species found in the study area, which are not sighted elsewhere in Orissa. There were 64 invasive exotic species also found, which will be serious threat to the forest ecosystem in the future. Important among them are Ageratum conyzoides L., Chromolaena odorata (L.) R. King & H. Robins., Crotalaria pallida Ait., Hyptis suaveolens (L.) Poit., Lantana camara L., Mimosa pudica L., Parthenium hysterophorus L. and Triumfetta rhomboidea Jacq.

The upper storey of the vegetation was covered by tall trees with epiphytic growth of lichens, bryophytes, ferns and orchids. It was interesting to note that Shorea robusta Gaertn. f., a common species in other parts of Orissa, showed sporadic distribution in the study area. Some of the shrubs e.g., Ardisia solanacea Roxb., Flemingia macrophylla (Willd.) Prain ex Merr., Indigofera cassioides Rottl. ex DC., Leea asiatica (L.) Ridsdale and Morinda citrifolia L., were found to grow in dense and interior forests. The bamboo species Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees. also occupied considerable part of the area. Herbs were mostly distributed all over the hill range, which includes open and dense forests, along the streams, top of the hills with grasses and forest road sides. A good number of lianas and woody climbers were present in the hill range, such as Bauhinia vahli Wight & Arn., Calycopteris floribunda Lam., Combtretum albidum G. Don., Cryptolepis buchanani Roem. & Schult., Entada pursaetha Spreng., Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br., Smilax zeylanica L., Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam., and Ventilago madraspatana Gaertn. Epiphytes were less in number. Vanda testacea (Lindl.) Reichb. f. and V. tessellata (Roxb.) Hook. ex G. Don. were two common epiphytic orchids found on branches of most tall trees. Four root parasites (Aeginetia indica L., Melasma thompsonii (Hook. f.) Wettst., Sopubia delphiniifolia (L.) G. Don. and Striga angustifolia (D. Don) Saldanha) and two stem parasites (Dendrophthoe falcata (L. f.) Etting and Viscum articulatum Burm. f.) were also recorded from the study area. The extensive flat plateau on the top of the hills running through the whole length of the Gandhamardan range presented a grassland formation with luxuriant growth of various grass species attaining 2-3 m in height. The grassland comprises of Arthraxon lancifolius (Trin.) Hochst., Capillipedium assimile (Steud.) A. Camus., Cymbopogon martini (Roxb.) Wats., Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult. and interspersed with stunted growth of Lagerstroemia parviflora Roxb., Phyllanthus emblica L., Pimpinella heyneana (Wall. ex DC.) Kurz. and Woodfordia fruticosa L. Kurz.. Weeds such as Borreria stricta Roth ex Roem. & Schult., Cleome monophylla L. and Mollugo pentaphylla L. were common. Celosia argentea L. (introduced) is a weed of great nuisance in the abandoned fields near Borasambar, Paikmal and Harishankar.

Medicinal plant exploration: Gandhamardan hill range is also known as ‘Ayurvedic paradise’ and treasure house for potential medicinal plant species not only for Orissa but also for India. More than 300 plant species were found in the area with medicinal properties. These are depleting rapidly because of unsustainable harvesting, lack of awareness, and unrestricted grazing by domestic animals from nearby villages (Panigrahi, 1963; Pattanaik and Reddy, 2007). Nonetheless, many people from far and wide come to this area to collect medicinal plants and share their knowledge on medicinal uses of these plants. Major medicinal plant species, such as Asparagus racemosus Willd., Celastrus paniculata Willd., Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker, Costus speciosus (Koenig) Sm., Curculigo orchioides Gaertn., Curcuma angustifolia Roxb., Gloriosa superba L., Gymnema sylvestre (Retz.) R. Br. ex Schult., Plumbago zeylanica L., Rubia cordifolia L. and Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook.f. & Thoms., were harvested in bulk for preparation of medicines by the local people. Unsustainable collection of above medicinal plants has placed them in threatened and vulnerable categories in Conservation Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) of Orissa.

Conservation measures: In the prevailing situation, conservation of plant resources is very important, as many of these plants, for example Asparagus gonoclados and Enicostema littorale Blume, have been reduced to a greater extent. Therefore, sustainable utilization of medicinal plants is an urgent demand of the hour. Sustainable wild collection with fair trade would help to conserve the natural resources of the Gandhamardan hill range. Piloting of farmer-based cultivation trials for a selected number of threatened and indigenous medicinal plant species on the edges of forests and in home gardens should be encouraged. The state Forest Department should initiate in situ as well as ex situ conservation practices by promoting nurseries, home garden andplantation. The state government should promote Village Management Committee (VMC) and Conservation Area Management Committee (CAMC) to protect the forests from denudation. Community mobilization and creating awareness on sustainable harvesting of plant parts among the local people of the surrounding villages must be done at priority level. The local non-government organisations (NGOs) should promote participatory research in breeding and participatory knowledge management involving scientists, government officials and tribal families. The Forest and Environment Department should establish linkages with markets, so that the cultivation of medicinal plants becomes market-driven, with assured income security for tribal families. Unrestricted movement of pilgrims all around the adjoining forest areas near to the temple are causing loss of plant species. It is necessary to improve the socio-economic conditions of people living around the hills to minimize the anthropogenic activities in order to prevent depletion of natural resources of this sacred hill range.

 

 

The greater Sambalpur-Jharsuguda area has the potential to become a major metropolitan area of Orissa. The following maps give some idea of this area.

The population numbers from 2001 obtained from this map are as follows:

More up-to-date numbers from the World Gazetteer is as follows:

Sambalpur District:

Jharsuguda District:

Baragarh District:

Sundergarh District:

Some of the recent notable developments of this area are:

• An airport is being developed in Jharsuguda (This needs to be speeded up.)
• UCE Burla has now become Vir Surendra Sai University of Technology
• Several major industries are coming up (for example; Vedanta Aluminum in Jharsuguda)
• There are 6 engineering colleges in the area: 2 in Bargarh, 1 in Jharsuguda, 1 in Sundergarh, VSSUT in Burla and Silicon in Sassan.
• Sambalpur-Jharsuguda as a whole has excellent Railway connectivity.

However, a more planned approach is needed. In particular, a core metro area consisting of Burla-Sambalpur-Jharsuguda-Belpahar-Brajarajnagar needs to be formally formed and a CDP (Comprehensive Development Plan) must be developed at the earliest. In addition if local participation in developing more private HRD institutions is enhanced and local  handing of industrialization is done in a smarter way (not just blind knee-jerk opposition) then that will propel this area to a Tier II metro area of India.

The following list is from www.orissatourism.gov.in/new/Identified_Tourist_Centre_of_Orissa_261207.pdf.

Following is an excerpt from a report in New Indian Express.

The Ong dam project at Pujaripali in Padampur block of Bargarh district has received the much awaited environmental clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forest(MoEF).

… Initially estimated to cost Rs 305 crore, the project was sanctioned by the Central Water Commission in September 2000.

The revised cost of the project will be nearly Rs 500 crore and this has been posed before the World Bank for funding under the Orissa Water Resources Improvement Project, official sources said.

The Water Resources Department has proposed to construct a reservoir on river Ong, a tributary of Mahanadi and the project envisages to irrigate about 30,000 hectares drought-prone areas of Bargarh and Balangir districts.

The submergence at full reservoir level is 5,100 hectares out of which, 167 hectares of neighbouring Chhattisgarh will be affected.

While 32 villages will affected by the project, 10 will be fully submerged.

As inter-state issues are involved, a public hearing was conducted in Chhattisgarh on September 11 and the willingness of people for the project has been communicated to the Centre.

Following is some background on the WORLP from their web page.

WORLP

Western Orissa Rural Livelihoods Project (WORLP) works in four districts of the east Indian State of Orissa. The project was inaugurated in August 2000 by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Shri Naveen Pattanaik. Full-scale field implementation activities began in October 2001. The four project districts; Bargarh, Balangir, Kalahandi and Nuapara are among the poorest in India. Health indicators are poor, there is a shortage of safe drinking water and drought recurs regularly. Inequitable social structures, distorted land distribution, indebtedness, and gender and other inequities contribute to the widespread poverty in western Orissa and impede access by poor and marginalised people to resources.

Supporting new patterns of rural development, WORLP contributes to reducing poverty by promoting livelihoods initiatives for the poorest. The livelihoods approach adopted by WORLP focuses on building, and working with, people’s existing strengths and resources. The approach is about informing, enabling, initiating and empowering appropriate choices for long-term well being. It involves all sections of rural society across caste, class, gender and other divides.

WORLP, a Government of Orissa initiative, is managed by the Orissa Watershed Development Mission. It is a joint venture of the Government of Orissa and DFID – the UK Department for International Development. Technical assistance to the project is provided by NR International of UK.

Update: The Orissa government tourism home page has a link to the list of tourist spots in Orissa.

In 2002-03 Raghurajpur (in Puri district) was the first village to be put in this list. This was followed by Pipli (in Khordha district) in 2004-05 and Khiching (in Mayurbhanj district) in 2005-06. The four new villages that are being added are Hirapur (in Khordha district), Barapali (in Baragarh district), Padmanavapur (in Ganjam district) and Deolajhari (in Angul district). Hirapur is famous for the 64 Yogini temple and the villages around it also make a lot of bronze utensils and artifacts. Barapali is famous for Pata Sarees – Sambalpuri style, while Padmanavapur is also famous for Pata Sarees – albeit of a different style. Deolajhari is near a waterfall. Following is Dharitri’s report on this.

Following are excerpts from a report in New Indian Express.

The State Government has prepared a Rs 850-crore draft project proposal under the National Food Security Mission (NFSM) for placing before the Centre for funding. The objective of the mission is to increase production and productivity of rice and pulses in 21 of 30 districts of the State in a sustainable manner.

The other objectives are to enhance farm level economy, restore confidence among farmers and create employment opportunities.

While 15 districts will be covered under NFSM for rice, 10 districts have been chosen for increased production of pulses. While Balangir, Kalahandi, Keonjhar and Nayagarh will be covered under the mission both in rice and pulses, the districts covered under NFSM in pulses include Bargarh, Cuttack, Ganjam, Khurda, Puri and Rayagada.

The project, to be implemented during the 11th Plan period , is expected to cover 20 lakh hectares for rice cultivation and 13.57 lakh hectares for pulses. The State has planned to increase yield of rice from 1,690 kg per hectare in 2007-08 to 2,095 kg per hectare by 2011-12 in the mission districts.

The estimated production of rice in the mission districts will increase from 33 lakh tonnes to 42 lakh tonnes. It has projected to enhance the productivity of pulses from 478 kg per hectare in 2007-08 to 594 kg per hectare in 2011-12. The low yield of rice in the State is due to several factors.

While more cultivable areas are under rainfed conditions, the kharif and rabi crops are totally dependent on monsoon rains. Lack of farm mechanisation, improved technology, training of farmers, soil management, pest management and non-availability of quality seeds are the other factors for low productivity.

The Centre will provide full financial assistance and the fund will be utilised for introduction of hybrid seeds, scientific management of problematic soil, pest management, farm mechanisation, training of farmers, Agriculture Director Arabinda Padhee said. The Government has projected to spend Rs 650 crore for rice production and Rs 200 crore for improved farming of pulses.

Following is an excerpt from a Pragativadi report.

The state government has decided to set up seven seeds centre in the state to enable the farmers to avail quality seeds without further delay.

According to official sources, the centres would come up at Ganjam, Angul, Sundargarh, Kalahandi, Balasore Jajpur and Bhubaneswar.

With this, the total seed centres in the state would go up to nine with two such centres that have been already set up at Rayagada and Bargarh.

The two centres provide certificates on the certified seeds to the farmers.
Apart from this, another centre functioning at Bhubaneswar has been entrusted with checking the quality of seeds.

The state government has also decided to impart training to the farmers about the use of modern cultivation for which it is now contemplating on roping in the National Farmer Extension Management Organisations.

The following ad in Samaja gives highlights of two recently launched schemes in agriculture:

• National Food Security Mission (NFSM)
  • The 15 districts in Orissa covered under the NFSM-Rice scheme (as given in page 40 of the above document) are Angul, Balangir, Boudha, Deogarh, Dhenkanal, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Malkangiri, Nawapara, Nawarangpur, Nayagarh, Phulbani, and Sundargarh.
  • The 10 districts in Orissa covered under the NFSM-Pulse scheme (as given in page 43 of the above document) are Balangir, Baragarh, Cuttack, Ganjam, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Khurda, Nayagarh, Puri, Rayagada.
• Rashtriya Krishi Vikash Yojana (RKVY)

Infrastructure of Sambalpur-Burla-Baragarh-Chipilima cluster, Orissa

Educational and research infrastructure of Orissa

City Guides in the net.

• Hello Sambalpur

Universities in Sambalpur area.

• Sambalpur University, Burla, Sambalpur
• College of Agriculture, OUAT, Chiplima, Sambalpur B.Sc.(Ag.)

Research institutes in Sambalpur area.

Medical/Dental Colleges in Sambalpur area.

• VSS Medical college, Burla, Sambalpur
• Various other medical and medical technology instituitions

Management Institutes (granting MBA or equivalent) in Sambalpur area

• Department of Business Administration, Sambalpur University, University Campus, Jyothi Vihar Building, Burla – 768 019 Dist: Sambalpur
• Gangadhar Meher College (Autonomous) Sambalpur-04, Sambalpur, Orissa

Engineering Colleges in Sambalpur area

• University College Of Engg. Burla, P.O. Engg. College, Sambalpur – 768 018.
• Padmashree Kurtartha Acharya College Of Engg At/Po Chakarkend-768028 Dist Bargarh Orissa

MCA granting institutions in Sambalpur area

• Gangadhar Meher College, Sambalpur – 7658 004 Dist: Sambalpur
• University College of Engineering, Burla – 768 018 Dist: Sambalpur

Pharmacy schools in Sambalpur area

• Gayatri College Of Pharmacy Gayatri Vihar, Jamadarpali,,Sambalpur – 768 101.

Autonomous Colleges with Masters programs in Sambalpur area

• Gangadhar Meher College Sambalpur, Dist. Sambalpur – 768 004
• University College of Engg. Burla (Sambalpur), Orissa – 768 018

Other institutions with non traditional (i.e., beyond Science/liberal Arts/Commerce/Engg/Medical/MBA etc.) programs

• Govt. College Physical Education, Kuksari, Sambalpur
• Jagannath Sanskrit college, Bijayapalli, Baragarh
• Lajpat Rai Law College, SAMBALPUR
• Orissa Medical College of Homeopathy and Res., SAMBALPUR
• Sri Nrusinghanath Ayruved College, Research Institute, PAIKMAL. Bargarh

Fun/Culture/Tourism in and around Sambalpur area

• Orissa tourism destinations: Sambalpur area
• Odissi.com — Sambalpur area
• Sambalpur area Travel Guide.

Industries and Industrial infrastructure in and Around Sambalpur area

• Ref: [1].

Getting to/from Sambalpur area

• Sambalpur is a division HQ in the East Coast Railway of Indian Railways.
  • Timings of trains to/from/through Sambalpur
  • Indian Railways Schedule
• Road network: Sambalpur is on NH 6 running between Kolkata and Mumbai:
• Road network: Orissa Roads; India’s NH network.

Following are some links that I collected in my site “Fun/Culture/Shopping/Tourism in Orissa”.

• Puri is the 2nd most popular destination among Indian tourists
• Orissa Ecotourism: DEERS Bhubaneswar
• Shopping, Malls:
  • Big Bazaar, Forum Mall, Opposite Ram Mandir, Bhubaneswar. (Includes a food Bazaar)
  • Big Bazaar, Patia, Bhubaneswar?
  • Big Bazaar in Cuttack?
  • Maruti Corner (has a Food Bazaar), Patia (near KIIT), Bhubaneswar.
  • K-Lounge (killer jeans, etc.), Bhubaneswar Ref: [1]
  • Mall mania grips Bhubaneswar: Times of India, 29th March 2006.
  • More on Malls in Bhubaneswar: TOI, Sept 23, 2006
• Happenning place:
  • Sandys square, Bhubaneswar : Habib�s Fair and Beauty unisex saloon, Cafe Coffee Day chain, Smokin� Joe�s pizza, Niknish Gift Shop, and Sparks pub (with a dance-floor, jugglers, heavy lights and full-time DJs)
  • Other party places
• Nightspots:
  • Disco at Plaza Club, Swosti Plaza, Bhubaneswar.
• Golf in Bhubaneswar
• Sports entertainment:
  • Rourkela Steelers (tier II PHL team): [1]
• Orissa Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) (editor’s comment: lots of interesting tours. [1])
• State tourism department ( Orissa tourism destinations: Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Dhenkanal, Berhampur, etc.)
• Orissa Tourism site
• Destination Orissa
• National parks, Ecotourism, and Wild life in Orissa: elephants, tigers, sea turtles, birds at Chilika lake, crocodiles, mangroves:
  • Chandaka Elephant Reserve: [map], [1]
  • Nandan Kanan Zoo: [Ref:Nandan Kanan National Park?], [An article in Orissa review June 05]
  • Chilika Lake: tourism, bird sanctuary, dolphin sanctuary (announced)
  • Bhitarakanika National Park; more
  • Gahirmatha Turtle Sanctuary. [1]; [2]; [3]; [4]; [5].
  • Similpal National Park; more
• Cultural Festivals: [1], [Swosti Group's list], [Festivals galore]
  • Parab, Koraput ([1]
  • Konark Festival, Konark: December 1-5 (since 1990) ([1], [2], [3], [4] )
  • Buddha Mahotsava, Dhauli Hills: Dec 9-11.
  • Dhanu Jatra, Baragarh: 7 to 11 days preceding Pausa Purnima in December-January ([1], [2], [3])
  • Srikshetra Utsav, Puri: December 14-25
  • Ekamra Utsav, Bhubaneswar (in Ekamra Haat): January 6-15
  • Mukteswar Nrutya Utsava, Mukteswar Temple, Bhubaneswar: January 12-
  • Kalinga National Martial Festival on Dhauli hills (near Bhubaneswar): Late January
  • Kharavela festival, Bhuvaneswar: Early February
  • Rajarani Music festival: Feb 26-28.
  • Jagannath Ratha Yatra: July
  • Golden beach festival, Chandipur-on-sea, Balasore: November 11-13. ([1] )
  • Sangam: an annual dance festival on Teacher’s day (Sept 5). ([1] )
• Beaches: [List 1]; [List 2];
  • Chandipur beach; Balaramgadi beach; Kasaphal beach.
  • Gopalpur.
  • Puri.
  • Balighai, Puri.
  • Ramchandi. (near Konark)
  • Talasari. (near Digha in West Bengal). (Editor’s comment on 7/26/05: Orissa should make a *good* road to this beach accessible from NH 60 — between Kharagpur and Balasore, through Orissa. This will provide an alternate route to Digha, the only decent beach in West Bengal. Also this beach area should be developed into a nice upscale beach resort.)
• Museums and Galleries:
  • Regional Museum of Natural History (RMNH), Bhubaneswar ( See bottom part of page 4; National museum and other 2 regional museums)
  • Orissa state museum, Bhubaneswar (history and evolution of the museum)
  • Regional Science Center, Bhubaneswar (major science museums in India )
  • Orissa Modern Art Gallery, A-17/8 Surya Nagar, Bhubaneswar. ([1])
  • The Handicrafts Museum, Secretariat Road, Bhubaneswar
  • Museum of tribal arts, Bhubaneswar: [1]
  • Archaelogical museum, Konark
  • Balasore Branch Museum
  • Baripada Museum
  • Belkhandi Museum PO Kalra Munda, District Kalahandi Belkhandi Orissa India
  • Berhampur Branch Museum
  • Dhenkanal Science Center
  • Tribal museum, Koraput
• Lakes, Boating, Water sports, Hot springs: Besides the beaches, Orissa has several lakes and reservoirs, some developed and others virgin.
  Editor’s comment on July 26′ 2005: Orissa should go in a big way in developing these water bodies for tourism purposes, especially the ones which are close to well-connected cities and towns like Sambalpur and Rourkela. Orissa should borrow ideas from the Aswan reservoir in Egypt, Lake Powell in Arizona/Utah border of the USA, Lake Meade in Nevada USA, etc. Not many people in India (and for that matter Orissa), know about the various water bodies mentioned below (except Chilika lake). Orissa should develop appropriate infrastructure, and promote Rourkela and Sambalpur in regards to Mandira reservoir and Hirakud reservoir respectively.
  • Google earth images: Balimela, Kolab, Balimela-Jalaput-Kolab, Satiguda, Satiguda-Balimela-Jalaput-Kolab, Indravati, Hirakud, Rengali, Mandira, Chilika, Bhitarakanika, Chandipur, Chilika-Puri-Konark-BBSR, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Mahanadi, Hirakud and Rengali in reference to BBSR and CTC.
  • Chilika Lake (somewhat developed, approachabe on NH5 from Bhubaneswar and Berhempur, allso approachable from Puri through Baliharchandi and Satapada.)
  • Hirakud reservoir: very close to Sambalpur, man-made but huge reservoir built-up due to the Hirakud dam. (Ref: [1], [2], [3:wild-life], [4:power] )
  • Balimela reservoir: made for the Balimela power station, 25 km from Malkangiri, 15 km from Chitrakonda, not well developed, near Jeypore.
  • Satiguda Dam: 8 kms from Malkangiri
  • Jalaput (Jolaput, Julaput) reservoir: about 80 km from Koraput on Koraput Vizag line, not well developed, near Jeypore. (a description is at this site.)
  • Mandira reservoir: very close to Rourkela, made by the Mandira dam.
  • The reservoir due to Rengali dam: 65 km upstream of Talcher. (looks big in google earth image.)
  • Kolab reservoir: made for Kolab power station, 5 kms from Jeypore. (a picture is in this site.)
  • Indravati: made for Indravati power station.
  • Machkund (Duduma) reservoir: made for the Machkund HE project.
  • The planned national waterway in Orissa.
  • A listing of lakes in Orissa at Indiatourism.com
  • A listing of lakes, reservoirs, and hot springs in Orissa
• Temples of Orissa
  • History; chronology; etc.
  • A list
  • Puri: Jagannath Temple.
  • Konark; Konark temple; a UNESCO world heritage site.
    • Efforts towards additional world heritage site designations: [1].
  • Temples in Bhubaneswar: Lingaraj temple; Rajarani Temple; Mukteswar Temple.
  • Maa Tarini Temple, Ghatagaon, Keonjhar.
  • TaraTarini Temple, Berhempur
  • Biraja temple, Jajpur
• References: [1].
• Tourism infrastructure efforts: [The Statesman-June2-05:Buddhist circuit etc.]; [Cruise ship]; [Puri SEZ]; [Int'l seminar on Buddhism]; [Sipasarubali, Puri], [Sipasarubali investors], [Progress report: Nov 21 2005]
• Orissa tourism policy: [1],
• Culture tours: orissaculture.com home; culture tours; Orissa / India tribal tour 1; Orissa / India tribal tour 2; Orissa tribal tour 3; Orissa tribal tour 4;

In recent years there has been a big jump in the number of kilometers of national highways in Orissa. Following is copied from my page "Roads and Highways infrastructure in Orissa."

Road network: Orissa Roads1; Orissa Roads2; India’s NH network; India’s golden quadrilateral; the part of the GQ/NH-5 that runs through Orissa.

• National Highways in Orissa and India; its growth in recent years:
  • NH 5: Junction with NH No.6 in Jharkhand near Baharagora-Baripada-Baleshwar-Bhadrakh-Cuttack- Bhubaneswar-Khordha-Chhatrapur-Brahmapur- upto Andhra Pradesh Border. (488 kms)
  • NH 5A: Junction with NH No.5 near Haridaspur-Paradip Port. (77 kms)
  • NH 6: From Chhattisgarh Border-Lobarchatti- Bargarh – Sambalpur-Deogarh-Barakot- Kendujhargarh -Jashipur-Bangriposi-upto Jharkhand Border (462 kms)
  • NH 23: From Jharkhand Border-Panposh-Raurkela- Rajamundra-Barakot- Pala Laharha-Talcher-Jn. with NH-42 (209 kms)
  • NH 42: Junction with NH No.6 near Sambalpur- Redhakhol-Anugul-Dhenkanal- Jn. with NH-5 near Cuttack. (261 kms)
  • NH 43: From Chhattisgarh Border- Dhanpunji- Borigma- Jaypur-Koraput-Sunki- Andhra Pradesh Border. (152 kms)
  • NH 60: From West Bengal Border- Jaleswar – Baleshwar (57 kms)
  • NH 75: From Jharkhand Border to junction with NH No.215 near Parsora (18 kms)
  • NH 200: From Chhattisgarh-Machida-Jharsuguda- Kochinda- Deogarh -Talcher-Kamakhyanagar-Sukinda- Chandhikhol (440 kms)
  • NH 201: Boriguma-Ampani-Bhawanipatna- Belgan- Balangir-Luisinga-Jogisuruda-Dunguripali-Bargarh (310 kms)
  • NH 203: Bhubaneshwar-Pipili-Puri-Konark (97 kms)
  • NH 203A: The highway starting from its junction with NH-203 at Puri, connecting Bramhagiri and terminating at Satpada (49 kms)
  • NH 215: Panikoli-Anandapur-Ghatgan- Kendujhargarh- Parsora-Koira-Rajamundra (348 kms)
  • NH 217: From Chhattisgarh Border-Nauparha-Khariar- Titlagarh-Belgan- Ramapur- Baligurha-Sorada-Asika- Brahmapur- Narendrapur- Gopalpur (438 kms)
  • NH 224: Khordha-Nayagarh-Dashapalla- Purunakatak-Bauda-Sonapur-Balangir (298 kms)
• Vijaywada-Ranchi highway (approved by planning commission as reported in May 2006), [July 06] [The Orissa government has been demanding a NH from Vijaywada to Ranchi which will pass through the Naxal infested areas. 1200 km of this 2000km will be in Orissa. CM talked to planning comission about it.]
• Ongoing National Highway work in Orissa
• Future plans for Orissa: [1:april-28-05]; [2:april-28-05].
• Various phases of NHDP: [1]; [2]; [3]
• Other highway plans:
  • 4 laning of Chandikhol-Paradip by February-end of 2007
  • 4 laning of Keonjhar-Panikoili, Duburi-Talcher, Cuttack-Paradeep and Duburi-Keonjhar Highways. [June17-05-Pragativadi]
• Aim-for-with-high-priority/parts-of-it-in-Orissa-govt- plan(page4)-already:
  • Connect NH 215 (perhaps at Jajpur Rd) to Jenapur to NH200 (where it meets Brahmani) with a highway as Jenapur is the location where the National waterway will cross the railway line and Jenapur is 7 kms from where a branch of the line goes to Daitari and Bansapani.
  • Designate AP-border-Koraput-Raygada-Padampur- Berhampur (in NH5) as a National highway. (This will bring Koraput and Raygada, thus a big part of KBK, closer to BBSR) — a slight revision of what is in the plan
  • Designate Anandpur (NH 215)-Bhadrak-Dhamara port as an NH. (This will bring Dhamara port closer to Jharkhand, thus helping industries in Jharkhand and Orissa.)
  • Jagatpur-Kendrapara-Chandbali-Dhamara — make it an NH (alternative route to Dhamara port)
  • Panikoili/Kuakhia-Jajpur-Aradi-Chandabali — make it an NH (alternative route to Dhamara port)
  • Panikoili-Jajpur-Kendrapara-NH5a-Paradeep — make it an NH (alternative to Paradeep port)
• Orissa State Road Transport Company (OSRTC)
• Wide city roads:
  • Four-laning of the Airport-Dhamana Chhaka road in Bhubaneswar: [1]
  • Other Bhubaneswar Road plans: [1], [2]
• Bhubaneswar area road plans:
  • Being pursued: BBSR-Barang-Khuntuni-NH42; alternate route to Bhubaneswar-Cuttack via Barang; Khurda-Cuttack bypass via Pitapalli; Bhubaneswar (Uttara chhack) to Paradeep highway (Uttara chhack map)
  • Should be pursued: Bhubaneswar-Khurda Rd station (already some Puri-Adi trains bypass Bhubaneswar. So Khurda Rd could be an alternative reliever station for Bhubaneswar. Then this road would be very important.); Patia station to Pahala in NH5 (this would be a third alternative to Bhubaneswar-Cuttack especially from the hot area of KIIT, Infocity, etc.)

(This is copied from my site on Railway infrastructure in Orissa.)

Most of Orissa’s rail network ( full-orissa-map, map-east-n- north-orissa, map-south-n-west-orissa) is part of the East Coast railway( map1, map2, time-table), and a small portion is part of the South eastern railway( map, plans) of Indian Railways. For trains across India see the Indian Railways Schedule, and for trains across Orissa see the ECOR schedule. Maps from IRFCA are here. India9.com has a list of stations and trains related to Orissa.

Rail network description:

• Howrah(0)… Kharagpur (116) … Lakshannath Rd (178)-Jaleswar (184)-Rajghat halt (191)-Amarda Rd (198)-Basta (203)- N Mayurbhanj Rd (207)-Rupsa Jn (213)-Haldipada (219)-Tikirapal halt (226)-Balasore (231)-Nilgiri Rd (241)- Khantapara (246)-Panpana (251)-Bahanga Bazar (256)-Soro (264)-Sabira (271)-Markona (279)-Ranital (285)- Bhadrak(291) -Baudpur(303)-Kapali Rd(308)-Kenduapada(312) -Manjuri Rd(320)-Dulakhpatna(323)-Baitarani Rd (328)- Korai(335)-Jajpur Keonjar Rd(340) – Jakhapura (348)-Brahmani PH-Jenapur(356)- New Garhmadhupur (362) -Haridaspur(372) -Dhanmandal(377)- Barithengarh(383) – Byree(388)-Sri Jhadeswar(392) – Kapilas Rd (398)- Nergundi(401)- Kendrapara Rd (409)- Cuttack(412) -Kathajori(414)-Gopalpur Balikuda(417)-Barang(424)- Patia(431)- Mancheswar (433)- Vani Vihar (437)- BBSR(440)- Lingaraj temple rd (445)- Retang(452)- Khurda Rd(459)-Argul (465)-Kaipadar Rd (468)- Dhaulimuhan(473)- Tapang(477)-Golabai(482)- Nirakarpur(485)- Bhusandapur(493)-Mukteswar(498)- Kaluparaghat (503) – Kuhuri(509)-Gangadharpur(517)- Solari(523)-Balugaon(530)- Chilika(537)- Khallikot (548)-Rambha(559)-Humma(570)-Ganjam(576)- Chhatrapur Court(584)- Chatrapur(585)- Jagannathpur(597)-Berhampur(606)-Golanthara (617)- Surla Rd(621)-…-Palasa(680)-…- Naupada (705) -…- Vijainagaram(821) -…- Visakhapatnam (882)

(ecor map)

• Haridaspur-Kendrapara-Paradeep (preliminary stage of construction; only few stations are named currently)
• Cuttack(0)-Mattagazpur(7)- Kandarpur(17)- Badakhandita(25)- Raghunathpur(32)- Gorakhnath (45) -Jhankad Sarla Rd(50)- Rahama(60)- Badabandha (73)- Paradeep(83)
• Khurda Rd (0)-Haripur(3)-Motari(8)-Kanas Rd(11)- Delang(15)- Birpurusottampur(22)-Sakhigopal(27)- Janakideipur(33)-Malatipatpur(36)-Puri (44)
• Khurda Rd(0)-Khurda Town(10.8)-Rajsunakhala (44)-Nayagarh(65.6)-Dasapalla(110.25)-Boudh (198)-Sonepur(240.1)-Bhainsapalli(274.9)-Balangir (preliminary stage of construction; only few stations are named currently)
• Sambalpur (0)-Sambalpur Rd(2)-Sambalpur city(7)- Maneswar(15)-Hatibari(28)- Jujomura(39)- Charmal (56)-Rairkhol(71)-Bamur(87)-Saragipali(97)- Handapa (111)- Boinda(118) – Jarapada(133)- Kerejanga(143) – Angul(157)-Talcher Rd (169) – Talcher(175)
• Talcher (0)-Talcher thermal(4)-Budhapank(10)- Meramondali(19)-Naya Bhagirathipur(28)- Hindol rd (32)-Sadashibpur(42)-Dandimal(46)- Dhenkanal (53)-Shyamcharanpur (58)- Joranda Rd(61)- Rajathagarh(73)- Radhakishorepur (77)- Ghantikhal (83)- Naraj Marthapur(90)-Barang(98)
• Talcher(0)-…-Rajathagara(73)-Gurudijhatia(83) – Charbatia(92)-Salagaon(96)- Nergundi(100) -…- Cuttack(112)-…-Bhubaneswar(140)
• Howrah(0)-…-Kharagpur-(115)…-TATA(249.5)-…- Rajkharswan(291.4)-…-Chakradharpur(312)-…- Bhalulata(392)-Bisra(398.6)-Bondamunda Halt (406.4) – Raurkela (413=X)-Panposh (418.7)- Kalunga(426.3)- Kansbahal (433.3)- Rajgangpur (443)-Sonakhan(450) -Sagra(456.7)- Garpos (461)-Tangarmunda (469)- Bamra(477.5)- Dharuadihi(487.2)-Bagdihi(493.4)- Panpali(499.6)- Dhutra(505.5) -Jharsuguda Jn(514.2)- Ib(523.1)- Brajrajnagar(525.8)-Belpahar(534.9)- Himgiri(548.2)- Daghora(555.3)-…-Raigarh(585.7)-…- Bilaspur(718) -…- Raipur(828.6)
• Badampahar(0)-Chhanua PH(9)- Kuladiha(16)- Rairangpur(24.5)-Aunlakhor(34)-Bahalda Rd(47)- Haludpukur(67.5)-Tata(89)
• Gurumahishasini(0)-Aunlakhor(9)
• Raurkela(0)- Quarry (8) – Kuarmunda (18)- Biramitrapur (27)
• Titilagarh(0)-Sikir(11)-Badmal(20)-Saintala(29)- Deogaon Rd(47)-Balangir(64)- Balangir Rd(66)- Loisingha(82)- Khaliapali(94) -Dungripali(106)- Barpali(121)- Bargarh Rd(140)- Attabira(158) -Godbhaga(166)-Hirakud(175)-Sambalpur(182)- Sambalpur Rd(184)-Sason(196)-Rengali(205)- Lapanga(215)-Brundamal(224)- Jharsuguda(231)
• Visakhapatnam(0)-..-Shimiliguda(121)-Araku(132)- Gorapur(142)-Darliput(155)- Padua(165)-Bheja(175)- Machhakund Rd(186)- Paliba(199)- Suku(206)- Koraput(217)- Manabar (224)- Jarati(234)- Maligura (245) – Chhatriput (252) -Jeypore(259)- Dhanapur (266) – …Jagdalpur(323) -…Kirandul(473)
• Koraput (0)-Damnjodi(19)- Kakrigumma (46) – Lakshmipur Rd (62) – Tikiri (83)-Rauli(96)- Lelligumma (113) -Bhalumaska (129)-Kautguda(155)- Singhapur Rd (164) – Rayagada (173)
• Raipur (0)-…-Khariar Rd(106)-Nawapara Rd (117)- Lakhna(131)- Harishankar Rd(147)-Truekela Rd(156)-Kantamanji(170)-Muribahal(185) – Rahenbata (196) – Titlagarh(203)- Kesigna(216) -Kandel Rd(225) – Rupra Rd(232)- Norla Rd(239)- Lanjigarh Rd(250)- Ambodola(264)- Doikallu(276) -Muniguda(289)-Bissam Cuttack (306)- Therubali (324)-Singapur Rd9(333)- Raygada (343) -Ladda (351)-…-Bobbili(414)-… -Vijainagaram(467)
• Rupsa Jn (0)-Thakurtota(6)-Jugpur(12)- Jogal(18)- Betonoti(24)-Krishna Ch Pur (35)-Jamsole(42)- Baripada (52)
• Baripada (0)-Baghra Rd(3)- Bhanjapur(4)- Kuchai(12) -Buramara(24)-Rajalukan(36)-Bangriposi (37.4) (narrow gauge, being converted)
• Balasore (0)-Nilgiri (21) (narrow gauge, used for transporting granite; defunct now?): [1]
• Naupada(0)-Tekkali(7)-Peddasana(13)-Temburu(17)- Ganguvada(25)-Patapatnam(34)- Parlakimidi (40)- Sitapuram(52)-Kashinagar(65)-Lihuri(71)- Bansidhara (79)-Palasingi(84)- Gunupur(90) (narrow gauge; being converted; Gunupur to be connected to Therubali)
• Jakhapura(0)-Sukinda Rd(8)-Baghupal(16)- Tomka(24)-Daitari(33). Tomka(0)-Tangiriapal(10)-Sagadapeta(26)-Chilikdara (39)- Harichandanpur(49)-Nilakantheswar(59)- Sitabanji(70)- Basantpur(83)-Naranpur(92)- Keonjhargarh(98)-Goaldih(109)- Porjanpur(116)- Nayagarh(130)- Jaroli(146)-Bansapani(155)-Murg Mahadev Rd(164)-Deojhar(167)-Padapahar (183)- Dangoaposi(188)-Maluka(198)-Kendposi(208)- Talaburu(217)-Jhinkpani(226)-Singhpokharia(235) -Chaibasa(242)-Pandrasali(250)-Rajkharswan(262) (between Chakradharpur and Tata) … Tata (304)
• Bolanikhadan(0)-Barabil(6)-Bara jamda(16)- Noamundi (30)-Padapahar(33)
• Gua(0)-Bara jamda(8)
• Kiriburu(0)-Karampada(6)-Tupadih(11.5)-Rangra(20)- Rakshi(30)- Bimlagarh(40)-Patasahi(48)-Chandiposh (55)- Champajharan(61)-Lathikata(70.6)-Dumetra (80)- Bondamunda Halt(86.5)
• Bondmunda Halt-Bangurkoel(0)-Bispur(7)- Nawagaon (13)- Orga(20)-…-Hatia(148); Nawagaon-Punrapani
• Barsuan(0)-Gognaposh(14.5)-Bimlagarh(21)

Current railway connectivity and Indian railway websites:

• 2007 Bhubaneswar connectivity (draft): Bhubaneswar/Cuttack/Puri/KhurdaRd (on a map)(7,7a,29,29a,30,30a,32,32a,34,34a,40,78)

• 2007 Rest of Orissa connectivity (draft): Rourkela (5,5a,32,32a,34,34a,36,36a,40,78), Sambalpur (5,5a,32,32a,34,34a,40,78), Berhampur/Chhatrapur (7,7a,29,29a,30,30a,34,34a,40), Titlagarh (34,34a,40,42,42a), Rayagada (34,34a,40,42,42a), Balasore/Bhadrakh/Jajpur Keonjhar Rd (7,7a,29,29a,30,30a,32,32a,40), Dhenkanal/Anugul/Talcher (78), Jharsuguda (5,5a,32,32a,34,34a,36,36a, 40,78), Barbil (87,87a), Bolangir/BaragarhRd (34,34a,40), Koraput (40), Baripada (32,32a), Rupsa, Keonjhargarh, Gunupur/Parlakimidi.
• Time Table: Howrah-Rkl-Mumbai(5), Mumbai-Rkl-Howrah(5a), Howrah-BBSR/Puri-Chennai(7), Chennai-BBSR/Puri-Howrah(7a), Guwahati-BBSR-B’lore/Kerala(29), B’lore/Kerala-BBSR-Guwahati(29a), Howrah-BBSR-Hyderabad(30), Hyderabad-BBSR-Howrah(30a), Puri-Delhi(32), Delhi-Puri(32a), Puri-Okha(34), Okha-Puri(34a), Dhanbad-Chennai-Dhanbad(40), Puri-Sambalpur-Puri(78), Vizag-Rayagada-Delhi(42), Delhi-Rayagada-Vizag(42a), Barbil-Howrah(87), Howrah-Barbil (87a), Patna/Danapur-RKl-Bilaspur/Durg(36a), Bilaspur/Durg-RKL-Patna/Danapur(36).
• Orissa rail history
• List of trains passing through various Orissa stations
• Seven days availability of trains leaving Bhubaneswar
• Seven days availability of trains leaving Cuttack
• Seven days availability of trains leaving Puri
• Earliest dates on which reservations are available from Puri
• Train running (late/in time/etc.) status page (by train #)
• Train departure by station name
• Trains/Fare/Reservation Availability Status Between Important Stations — Editor’s comment July 30 2005: There is a list of about 150 stations there, but the list only includes two stations in Orissa, Bhubaneswar and Rourkela. They should atleast add Puri, Khurda Rd, Cuttack and Sambalpur to that list. Moreover, Khurda Road should be considered to be in Bhubaneswar area and trains that skip Bhubaneswar but pass through Khurda Road should show up when queries about Bhubaneswar are asked.
• Trainfinder between two stations
• Train reservations
• Coach positions: Southern railway
• IR time tables: Official Dec 2006 TAAG (Trains at a glance) site; a more organized Dec 2006 TAAG site.
  • 2006 Dec-2007 July ECOR time table
  • 2004-2005 ECOR time table: Vizag-Bhadrakh, Bhadrakh-Vizag, Vizag-Kirandul-Vizag, Titlagarh-Jharsuguda, Jharsuguda-Titlagarh, Rayagada-Raipur, Raipur-Rayagada, Vijainagaram-Titlagarh, Titlagarh-Vijainagaram, Talcher-Sambalpur, Sambalpur-Talcher, KhurdaRd-Angul, Angul-KhurdaRd, Puri-KhurdaRd, KhurdaRd-Puri, Raygada-Koraput, Cuttack-Paradeep–Nuapada-Gunupur, Vijaywada-Vizag, Vizag-Vijaywada, Bhadrakh-Howrah, Howrah-Bhadrakh.

Railway budgets:

• Plans in the 2007 budget
  • New Trains:
    • Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Express (weekly) after gauge conversion;
    • Bhubaneswar-Ranchi Garib Rath (tri-weekly) [most likely to follow the route Ranchi-MuriJn-ChandilJn-KandraJn-SiniJn-Chaibasa- Dangoaposi-PadapaharJn-Bansapani-Kenojhargarh- Tomka-SukindaRd-Jakhapura-Cuttack-Bhubaneswar]
  • Increase in Frequency: 2843/2844 Puri-Ahmedabad Express via Rayagada (from triweekly to 4 days in a week); 2835/2836 Hatia-Yesvantpur Express (from weekly to biweekly)
  • Doubling works of Bimlagarh-Dumitra (Part), Barbil-Badajamda, Titlagarh-Raipur have been given approval.
  • Survey for doubling: Sambalpur-Talcher; Khurda Road-Puri
  • Budget Numbers
    • New lines (94 crores total as opposed to 271.85 crores in 2006-07): Koraput-Rayagada (2 crores), Talcher-Sambalpur (3 crores), Lanjigarh Rd-Junagarh (12 crores), KhurdRd-Balangir (20 crores), Haridaspur-Paradeep (20 crores), Talcher-Bimlagarh (15 crores)
    • Gauge conversion (60 crores total as opposed to 49.8 crores in 2006-07): Naupada-Gunupur (25 crores), Rupsa-Bangiriposi ( 35 crores)
    • Doubling (293 crores as opposed to 293.16 crores in 2006-07): Talcher-Cuttack-Paradeep with 2nd bridge on Mahanadi and Birupa (64 crores), Cuttack-Barang (55 crores), Barang-Khurda Rd 3rd line (88 crores), Rajathagarh-Barang (86 crores). [Sambada lists some more doubling projects that is not listed in the pink book (ecor, se). Sambada claims the total 2007-08 budget for doubling to be 449.5 crores.]
• Plans in the 2006 budget
  • New Trains: Bhubaneswar-Baripada Express (tri-weekly) ; Howrah-Puri Express(bi-weekly) [done]; Bhubaneswar-Pondicherry Express(weekly) [feb14]; Tatanagar – Yesvantpur Express via Rourkela- Sambalpur- Rayagada(weekly) [done]; Howrah-Mumbai Express (weekly)
  • Extension of trains: 7227/7228 Vasco-Vijayawada Express (4 days a week) to Howrah [done]; 8507/8508 Visakhapatnam-Nizamuddin Hirakud Express to Amritsar; 8305/8306 Raipur-Sambalpur Express to Bhubaneswar [done]; 8467/8468 Puri-Jaipur Express to Jodhpur [done]; 8563/8564 Bangalore-Visakhapatnam Prashanti Express to Bhubaneswar; 211/212 Puri-Sambalpur Passenger to Rourkela
  • Increase in Frequency: 5625/5626 Bangalore- Guwahati Express from bi-weekly to tri-weekly [done]
  • In 2006-07, Railways propose to complete over 550 kms of New Lines. The sections include : Keonjhar-Daitari of Banspani-Daitari. With the completion of the above sections, the connection of Jakhapura (near Jajpur Road, between Bhubaneswar and Jajpur Rd) to Daitari, Keonjhar, Bansapani, to Rajkharsuan (between Chakradharpur and Tata) will be complete. See map. This will create alternate paths from Bhubaneswar to Rourkela (not much shorter, if any, than BBSR-Sambalpur-RKL though), and Bhubaneswar to Tata (a bit shorter than BBSR-KGP-Tata).
  • Completion of doubling of Titlagarh-Kesinga, Sambalpur-Sarala and Jharsuguda bye-pass in Orissa. Doubling of Padapahar-Banspani have also been included in the budget. In addition, works of doubling of Sambalpur-Titlagarh have been included in the Budget. Other doubling plans include Koraput-Kirandul, Kottavalasa-Koraput, and Bhadrak-Nergundi 3rd line.
  • Budget numbers: Total of Rs 653.9 crore for Orissa in 2006-07 ( against a request of 800 crores, and 279.39 crore more than allotted in 2005-06.): Rs 19 crore for the Lanjigarha Rd – Bhawanipatna – Junagarh, Rs 23 crore for the Khurda Rd- Balangir, Rs 155.58 crore Daitari-Keonjhar-Banspani, Rs 44 crore for Haridaspur-Paradip, Rs 20 crore for Angul-Duburi- Sukinda Road, and Rs 10 crore for Talcher-Bimalgarh. Rs 15.89 crore has been sanctioned for gauge conversion of Rupsa-Bangiriposi (Simlipal), Rs 34 crore for gauge conversion of Nuapada-Parlakimidi-Gunpur project, and Rs 293.16 crore for 12 doubling projects for 2006-07 as against Rs 170 crore for 2005-06.
  • 2006-07 Budget details at: Pink Book: ECOR details, SER details; Green Book: ECOR, SER.
• Past Railway budgets: 1996-97, 1997-98, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06.
• Railway proj ects in Orissa — 2004 budgetary provisions
• Requests from Orissa legislator’s in Loksabha debates: [2005: Chandra Sekhar Sahu, Braja Kishore Tripathy, Ananta Nayak, Bikram Keshari Deo, B. Mahtab, Arjun Sethi, Brahmananda Panda, Kharabela Swain, Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo, Mohan Jena]
• A twelve year railway budget plan for new lines and gauge conversion in Orissa: [April,1-2006]

New lines, gauge conversions, doublings: [Hindu-April05]

• Hurdles: 2006-07 ECOR allocation, 2006-07 SER allocation, Baripada-Bangiriposi problem (see page 8-9 of 2006-may-CAG report)
• New lines in progress or recently completed plus wish list for immediate consideration
  • Daitari-Banspani 155 km, estimated cost Rs 590 corres, 78% complete by May 2004. [map]
  • Lanjigarh-Bhawanipatna-Junagarh 55.67 km, Rs 120 crore, 15% complete on May 2004. [map] Editors note: Highest priority should be to have the following link: Malkangiri (southwestern tip of Orissa) to Jeypore (next to Koraput) to Nabarangpur to Junagarh-Bhawanipatna-Lanjigarh (in Kalahandi district), where Lanjigarh is just south of Titlagarh. (This will bring railways to the districts of Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, Kalahandi in KBK.)
  • Haridaspur-Paradip 82 km, Rs 340 crore, 4.25% complete but on fast track. [map], [Statesman:March2006]
  • Sukinda Road-Angul 90 km, Rs 415 crore, 0.2% complete on May 2004, but on fast track. (Sukinda Rd is in between Jajpur Road and Daitari) [map].
  • Talcher-Bimlagarh (Total: 154 km, Rs 727 crore) [map] [ This will make the shortest distance between BBSR to Rourkela to 308 kms: BBSR-Talcher (114) + Talcher-Bimlagarh(154) + Bimlagarh-Rourkela(40). Other alternate paths between BBSR-Rourkela are: BBSR-KGP-Rourkela (440-115+412-115= 325+ 297=622); BBSR-Talcher-Sambalpur-Rourkela (440); BBSR-Jakhapura-Daitari-Bansapani-Rajkharswan- Rourkela (92+38+155+108+122=515); BBSR-Bansapani-Padapahar-Bolanikhadan-?- Kiriburu-Bondamunda-Rourkela (285+28+32+ 15+85+7=452). ]
  • Khurda Road-Bolangir 290 km, Rs 700 crore, 6% (survey) complete by May 2004. [map]
  • Gunupur-Therubali: [map]
  • Bangriposi-Gurumahishasini: see mention in 2005 budget — section 91.III.11 (connecting Gurumahishasini to Bangiriposi and then having broad gauge till Rupsa gives the path TATA-Baripada-Rupsa; [an alternate demand by people]); [SER plan], [SER plan2], [map]
  • Chakulia-Buramara: [SER plan], [SER plan2], [people's demand]
  • Jaleswar-Digha: [SER plan], [SER plan2]
  • Wishlist: Kiriburu-Bolanikhadan (about 10 kms) — will result in the path Rourkela-Bimlagarh-Kiriburu- Barbil-Bansapani-Jakhapura-Cuttack- Bhubaneswar: [google-image], [map].
  • Wishlist: Naraj-Khordha-Khurda-Road line as part of a circular rail for the Bhubaneswar area, Khordha-KhurdaRd should be constructed immediately as part of the KhurdaRd-Balangir line, then complete the Khorda-Naraj part and then make Khorda another reliever station for Bhubaneswar. Then there should be a train running between Cuttack-Barang-Bhubaneswar- Khurda Rd-Khordha-Naraj-Barang at frequent intervals.
  • Recently completed or planned to be completed: Koraput-Raygada (Dec 1995), Talcher-Sambalpur (Aug 1998), Rupsa-Baripada (Sept 2005), Daitari-Bansapani (scheduled – 2006/07).
• Gauge Conversion:
  • Naupada-Gunupur, 90 km, Rs 89 crore, just starting. [map].
  • Rupsa-Bangiriposi: Rupsa-Baripada is already done (see item 108 2005 budget; [trial-run]) [map]; [Rupsa-Baripada DMU from Sept'19 05]
• Doubling projects:
  • 32-km Raghunathpur-Cuttack stretch on the Cuttack-Paradip section
  • 24-km stretches between Norla Road and Lanjigarh Road and between Titlagarh and Kesinga on the Titlagarh-Lanjigarh section on the Raipur-Vizag route
  • Sambalpur-Rengali (22.7 km)
  • Rajathgarh-Barang (31.5 km)
  • Khurda Road-Puri (15.3 km)
  • Cuttack-Barang (11.7 km)
  • Khurda Road-Barang (35 km)
• New lines under consideration: surveying stage (Baragarh-NawaparaRd, Gunupur-Therubali and Puri-Konark survey are mentioned in 91.II.5, 91.II.1 and 91.II.3 of 2005 budget):
  • Jeypore-Kottameta new BG rail link, 128 kms
  • Puri-Konark new BG rail link, 30 kms
  • Phulbani-Berhampur new BG line, 175 kms
  • Talcher/Hindol Road -Gopalpur/Berhampur new BG rail link, 245 ms
  • Talcher-Bimlagarh new BG rail link, 130 kms
  • Bargarh-Nawapara Road new BG link via Padampur, 120 kms
  • Jeypore-Nawarangpur new BG line, 45 kms (and then extended to Junagarh)
  • Jeypur-Malkangiri
  • Editor’s wish list: Therubali-Angul-Keonjhar-Badampahar (will result in the paths Jeypore-Koraput-Rayagada- Therubali-Angul-BBSR, Jeypore-Koraput-Rayagada- Therubali-Angul-Sukinda-Jajpur Rd-Balasore- Howrah, Kirandul-Jeypore- Koraput- Rayagada- Therubali- Angul-Keonjhar-Bansapani-Ranchi, Jeypore – Koraput-Rayagada-Therubali-Angul- Keonjhar -Badam Pahar-Jamshedpur)
  • Editor’s wish list: Jajpur Rd- Jajpur-Aradi- Chandbali- Dhamara port
  • Other links in Orissa govt’s list: Raygada-Gopalpur, Jaleshwar-Digha, Keonjhar-Badampahar.

Future Plans:

• Rail Traffic Projections: [NewIndPress:Aug9-05]
• A twelve year railway budget plan for new lines and gauge conversion in Orissa: [April,1-2006]
  • Orissa CM demands more fund and trains in rail budget of 2006
• New trains, extension and increased frequencies: wish list for 2007 and beyond
  • Goal: Better connectivity between BBSR and Rourkela.
    • Introduce a BBSR-Rourkela half day Intercity train and/or extend BBSR-Sambalpur train to Rourkela. [BBSR-Rourkela distance is Rourkela-Jharsuguda (102) + Jharsuguda-Sambalpur (49)+ Sambalpur-Talcher(175) + Talcher-Barang(98) + Barang-BBSR (16) = 440km] So a BBSR-Howrah (437 km) Janashtabdi/Dhauli kind of timing, or the BBSR-Vijag (443km) Intercity timing would be ok. For example: If it starts from BBSR at 6 AM then using the 8413 timing it can reach Sambalpur by 11 AM and can reach Rourkela by 1:40 PM. Then it can leave Rourkela by 2:30 PM and reach BBSR by 10:10 PM. If this is successful then have another train with the opposite timing. I.e., leaving Rourkela at 6 AM reaching BBSR at 1:40 PM and leaving BBSR at 2:30 PM and reaching Rourkela at 10:10 PM. Extend Puri-Sambalpur and Rayagada-Sambalpur expresses to Jharsuguda so that passengers from BBSR/Puri/CTC can connect to many of the trains that go west (to Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad etc.) from Jharsuguda.
  • Goal: More frequency between BBSR and Mumbai: Do one or more of the following.
    • Easiest: Extend Visakha-Express to Mumbai.
    • Next: Extend the newly extended 8305/8306 Raipur-Bhubaneswar express to Mumbai (via Nagpur) [Alternatively extend this train to Bhopal via Nagpur]
    • Extend Vidarbha or Sevagram Express (between Mumbai and Nagpur) to Bhubaneswar (via Raipur-Titlagarh-Bargarh-Sambalpur-Dhenkanal) [Also increases connectivity to Nagpur]
    • Increase frequency of weekly 2145/2146 BBSR-Mumbai express(so that twice a week it goes in the current route via Anugul-Sambalpur, twice a week it goes via Vijainagaram-Rayagada- Titlagarh- Raipur, and thrice a week via Vizag-Koraput- Rayagada-Raipur); [Similar to the trains connecting Puri-BBSR to ADI.]
  • Goal: Increase connectivity between Western Orissa and Allahbad-Delhi ( Public demand):
    • Extend 8601 Hatia Jammu Tawi express (now via Allahbad and Delhi) to Sambalpur (via Rourkela) first and may be after a year all the way till Bhubaneswar
    • Extend 2817/8603 Hatia-Delhi Samjhouta Express (via Allahbad) to Sambalpur (via Rourkela).
    • Increase frequency of Vizag-Delhi(now planned to be extended to Amritsar) express and on the new days let it take the route of Vizag-Koraput-Rayagada-Titilagarh-Balangir- Sambalpur and then follow the rest of the schedule.
  • Increase frequency of BBSR Rajdhani (perhaps once or twice plying through Sambalpur, once plying through Keonjhar, and going beyond BBSR to Viskhapatnam);
  • Goal: Better connection between western Orissa and South India, especially Hyderabad ( Public demand) [There are direct trains from Rourkela/Sambalpur to Bhubaneswar, Howrah, Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, but none to Hyderabad currently]:
    • Extend 6512 Bilaspur-Bangalore Express (via Hyderabad) to Rourkela or via Rourkela to Hatia/Ranchi or Tata.
    • Extend Vizag-Hyderabad Godavari express to Rourkela.
    • Introduce a Tata-Hyderabad Express going through Rourkela. [This should be happening soon, as Tata has excellent connections to all parts of India except to Hyderabad. May be ECOR can chip in towards this.] (Note in 2006 budget a new weekly Tata- Bangalore express is proposed. This may be routed through Hyderabad.)
  • Have a new Rayagada-Raipur (343 kms) day time express and Balangir-Vijainagaram (336 km) day-time express.
  • Increase frequency of weekly BBSR-Bangalore express and extend it to Mysore;
  • A Bhopal-Nagpur-BBSR-Puri train. (Bhopal and Nagpur are very close to Orissa but are not properly connected to BBSR by Rail.)
  • Extend Dhanbad-Tata Subarnreka express to Bhubaneswar.
  • Extend 8102 Muri express (Tata/Hatia-Jammu Tawi) to Bhubaneswar via Keonjhar (on the Hatia part) and Bhubaneswar via Kharagpur and Balasore on the Tata part.
  • A weekly Puri-Bhubaneswar-Sambalpur-Jabalpur-Bhopal-Kandla express
  • Extend Puri-Jodhpur express to Jaisalmer
  • A weekly Puri-Jaipur-Bikaner express
  • A weekly BBSR-Chennai-Tuticorn express
  • A weekly BBSR-Chennai-Cape express
  • A weekly BBSR-Chennai-Trivendrum express
  • A weekly BBSR-Chennai-Mangalore-Calicut express.
  • Once Daitari-Bansapani line is completed: a Tata-Puri passenger as well as a BBSR-TATA Intercity express via Keonjhar. [BBSR-Tata distance via Keonjhar will be about 421Kms: BBSR-Jakhapura (92) + Jakhapura -Tomka(24) + Tomka-Bansapani(155)+ Bansapani- Rajkharswan(108) + Rajkharswan-Tata(42)] Just for reference: BBSR-KGP-Tata = (440-115) + (249-115) = 325+134 = 459 kms.
  • Once Daitari-Bansapani line is completed, run one of the BBSR-SiniJn-Delhi train via Keonjhar on some of the days. (BBSR-Kenojhar-Sini = 410 kms while BBSR-Tata-Sini=486 kms)
  • a daily North Orissa Express train between Baripada and Puri. (in 2006-07 plan there is a thrice daily Baripada-BBSR train. This train is operational now.)
  • extend one of the trains to Delhi to beyond say Chandigarh/Jammu
  • a daily train between Baripada and Sambalpur;
  • a daily train between Rourkela and Berhampur;
  • a daily train between Paradeep and Berhampur;
  • extend 8447/8448 BBSR-Koraput express upto Jeypur;
  • increase frequency of 5639/5640 weekly Puri – Guwahati express;
  • once the line between Howrah-BBSR is completely electrified [done Dec 1 05] an almost non-stop twice a day, 4 hrs each way train between Howrah-BBSR;
  • Extend Konark express to start from Baripada as well as 2145/2146 BBSR-Mumbai express to start from Baripada. [There are direct trains from Balasore to BBSR, Howrah, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, but none to Mumbai. In general all train going west that start from BBSR should be extended to Balasore];
  • make a reliever station to Bhubaneswar with express halts at Patia. It is 1 km to the right of Magnetic Square in this map, and 2 km to the top of Patia square in this map. Note that this station is 3 km from Infocity, 1 km from KIIT, 2 km from Silicon, 3.5 km from Trident, 2 km from Koustuv, 2 km from College of Engg, 2 km from CIPET, 5 km from Fortune tower, etc.
• People’s demand: [Pioneer July'05: Extension of Raipur-Sambalpur intercity express to Bhubaneswar instead of Sambalpur [in 2006-07 plan], completion of Khurda-Balangir Railway Line, extension of Bhubaneswar -Sambalpur intercity express to Titilagarh instead of Sambalpur]
• Orissa integration plan (July 2005):
  • Now: lots of trains in the route Howrah- Kharagpur -Balasore-BBSR-Berhampur- Palasa-Vizag and Howrah-Rourkela-Mumbai; and many trains in the line Sambalpur-Dhenkanal-Bhubaneswar.
  • in 5 years: 2 fast express trains daily between: Koraput-Raygada-Gunupur-BBSR, Tata-Baripada- Rupsa-BBSR, Rourkela-Bansapani-BBSR, Chakradharpur-Keonjhargarh-Bhubaneswar; every two hours during the day trains between Puri-BBSR, Paradeep-BBSR, Berhempur-BBSR, Dhenkanal-BBSR, Bhadrakh-BBSR
  • in 10 years: 2 express trains daily between Junagarh-Bhawanipatna-LanjigarhRd-Titlagarh- Balangir-Phulbani-BBSR, 1 express train daily in the route Rourkela-Bimlagarh-Talcher-BBSR

Rail freight corridor: [TOI-Oct20-05] RVNL (Rail Vikas Nigam Limited) : projects, public notices

• Orissa related projects: 11:Kharagpur-BBSR electrification, 12:BBSR-Kottavasla electrification, 14:Talcher-Paradeep doubling with new bridges on Mahanadi and Birupa, 15:Daitari-Bansapani-Jakhapura new line and electrification, 19:Angul-Sukinda new line, 20:Jakhapura-Haridaspur 3rd line, 26:Rajathagara-Barang doubling, 27: Cuttack-Barang doubling, 28: KhurdaRd-Barang 3rd line, 43:Angul-Sukinda electrification, 44:Haridaspur-Paradeep newline (11 out of 48 projects on March 16 2007 were in Orissa)
• Orissa related public notices: Rajathagara-Barang doubling resettlement plan (rehabilitation plan), Cuttack-Barang doubling resettlement plan (rehabilitation plan), Barang-KhurdaRd resettlement plan.