Bhubaneswar: The Indian Railways has rejected allegations surrounding the recent reorganisation of railway jurisdictions, stating that the restructuring linked to the creation of the Rayagada Division and the South Coast Railway zone is purely an operational and administrative exercise with no adverse impact on Odisha.

In a detailed statement, the Railways termed claims regarding territorial or revenue loss to Odisha as “misleading” and not based on facts. The clarification comes amid criticism from various quarters over the transfer of the Palasa-Ichchapuram railway section to the South Coast Railway zone.

According to the Railways, the 50-km Palasa-Ichchapuram section consists of seven stations-- Palasa, Summadevi, Mandasa Road, Baruva, Sompeta, Jhadupudi, and Ichchapuram-- all of which are located in Andhra Pradesh’s Srikakulam district.

The Railways stressed that since the stations are entirely within Andhra Pradesh, their inclusion under the South Coast Railway does not involve any transfer of Odisha territory. “Any claims to the contrary are incorrect and misleading,” the statement said.

Officials further clarified that these stations are small to medium-sized passenger handling stations with no major freight loading activity. As a result, there would be no significant impact on the revenue of the East Coast Railway (ECoR).

The statement also sought to allay concerns regarding train operations and passenger services. It said freight movement across zones would continue seamlessly and that zonal jurisdiction does not affect through traffic movement. Passenger train services, including routes, schedules, and frequency, would remain unchanged.

Describing the move as a “technical and functional rationalisation”, the Railways said the restructuring was aimed at improving operational efficiency and administrative convenience.

The statement also highlighted that railway jurisdiction is often determined by operational requirements rather than state boundaries. As an example, it cited the 442-km Kottavalasa-Kirandul (KK Line), which passes through Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh but continues to remain under the Rayagada Division of East Coast Railway.

The Railways maintained that the creation of the Rayagada Division under ECoR would strengthen the administrative presence of the zone and support infrastructure expansion, modernisation, and service improvements in the region.

Reiterating its stand, the Railways said the restructuring was a “well-considered operational measure” and urged against interpretations that, according to it, do not reflect the factual and functional framework of railway administration.