The Central Government approved a dedicated railway line project on April 22, 2026, to connect the Sijimali and Kutrumali bauxite mines in Odisha. The Ministry of Railways has given this project the status of a Special Railway Project. This move comes after violent protests in the Kantamal area of Rayagada district over road construction activities.
What are the key details of the railway project?
The East Coast Railway’s Valtayer Division will lay a new Broad Gauge (BG) rail line from Tikiri station to the Sijimali and Kutrumali bauxite mines. The Ministry of Railways stated that this project will speed up mineral transport and help industrial growth in the region. Vedanta Limited was declared the preferred bidder for the Sijimali bauxite mines in February 2023.
Who is opposing the project and why?
Local tribal communities and the Sijimali Mining Anti-Protection Committee are protesting against the project. They claim that mining will damage the Nageswari hill and natural water sources, affecting their livelihood. Protesters also allege that fake Gram Sabhas were used to get mining permissions and are demanding a real public hearing.
What is the current situation on the ground?
| Entity | Role/Action |
|---|---|
| District Administration | Appeal to villagers to vacate the site |
| Rayagada Police | Used tear gas to control clashes during protests |
| Odisha MPs | Requested review of statutory approvals and forest rights |
| Environmentalists | Demanded action against officials for alleged excesses |
| CPIM | Claimed the infrastructure only benefits the private company |