Gunupur-Therubali railway line: Demands grow for early compensation

Gunupur: Demands are growing for early compensation to private landowners affected by the proposed Gunupur-Therubali railway project. This project is considered crucial for the development of the Paralakhemundi railway station in Gajapati district.

BJP State Vice-President and Raigad District Incharge K. Narayan Rao submitted a memorandum to the Principal Secretary of the State Commerce and Transport Department, ABS Rajput, on Thursday. According to the memorandum, the development of the Paralakhemundi railway station, a significant historical and heritage site in Gajapati district, largely depends on the construction of the new Gunupur-Therubali railway line.

The Government of India approved the 73.63 km railway line project on August 19, 2024. Subsequently, on May 6, 2025, the Indian Railways issued a gazette notification under Section 20(A) for the acquisition of private land for the project.

Subsequently, the Special Land Acquisition Officer at the Rayagada Collector’s Office prepared an estimate of the compensation to be paid to affected landowners in the Gunupur-Therubali area. The project covers 51 villages in Gunupur, Ramaguda, Kolnara, and Bissam Cuttack tehsils in Rayagada district.

Approximately 800 acres of private land is expected to be affected by the project. According to the Special Land Acquisition Officer’s assessment, the total compensation amount for affected private landowners is estimated to be approximately ₹1,000 crore.