Boudh promises breathtaking train journey as four tunnels near completion 

For the train passengers who long for a thrilling experience during the journey, the route from Dasapalla in Nayagarh to Boudh on the Khordha-Bolangir railway line is going to be a perfect one as, once the project is completed, they will pass through as many as seven tunnels including the state’s longest one which is  4.185 kilometres. 

The 310-kilometre-long Khordha-Bolangir railway line connects western Odisha with eastern Odisha. However, the completion of the project encountered hurdles as there were hills on its way. For the project to make its way, the Railway is constructing as many as seven tunnels between Nayagarh and Boudh.  

Of the seven tunnels, four are in Boudh. Similarly, of the total 310 kilometres of the Khordha-Bolangir railway line, a stretch of 110 kilometres is also in Boudh. The under-construction tunnel number four at Adanigarh is the longest one. Its length is 4.185 kilometres.

Also Read: Odisha to implement NEP 2020 in Universities, Colleges from current academic session

The tunnel numbers five and six are 317 and 313 meters long respectively. While both sides of these two tunnels have been opened and the ancillary works are on the verge of completion, 1.975-kilometre-long tunnel number seven is getting the final touches. 

“Of the seven tunnels, the biggest one is about five kilometres long. And the work on all the tunnels is going on at a fast speed,” said AG Srinivas, CEO, East Coast Railway.

Informing about the status of the project, DRM of Sambalpur, Tusharkant Pandey said, “With the completion of the technical and financial aspects, administrative level decisions regarding which train will run and how connections will be assigned are pending.”
The people of Boudh district are looking forward to the completion of the project, which is not far away, given the speed with which the project is advancing. 

Meanwhile, trains have already chugged into Purunapani, Jharmunda and Sarasara railway stations as a part of trail runs. The safety commissioner himself inspected the trial runs and safety system. Because of these latest developments, Boudh district residents are in an upbeat mood. 

“We are eagerly waiting for the day when the project will be commissioned. Only inaugurated, we can go to Puri easily,” said Niranjan Bag, a local resident. Another local resident Kumar Naik seconded Bag.