TV
The ambitious Khurda Road–Bolangir railway line project has achieved another engineering milestone with the successful completion of the final tunnel excavation work.
According to reports, a breakthrough occurred on Sunday in Tunnel T2, situated between Buguda and Daspalla in Nayagarh district. With this, all seven tunnels along the 75-kilometre stretch between Daspalla and Purunakatak have now been fully excavated.
Final Tunnel Excavation Completed
Tunnel T2, constructed using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), is a key feature of the project and now stands as the second-longest tunnel in the Nayagarh district. It only marks the final phase of tunnelling activity in this stretch, but is also expected to enhance the connectivity between eastern and western Odisha.
The NATM technique, known for its ability to handle challenging geological conditions, has played a critical role in navigating the rugged Eastern Ghats terrain.
A Game-Changer for Odisha’s Transport Network
Once completed, the Khurda Road–Bolangir rail line will serve as a transformative corridor, improving not only passenger movement but also freight transportation.
The project is anticipated to deliver far-reaching benefits to the state's economy by strengthening regional connectivity and enabling smoother travel between Bhubaneswar and western Odisha districts.
Notably, the overall rail line spans 301 kilometres, out of which 215 kilometres have already been commissioned, accounting for 105.8 km from Khurda Road to Daspalla and 109 km from Bolangir to Purunakatak.
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Meanwhile, construction on the remaining central stretch, including the crucial link from Purunakatak to Adhenigarh, is progressing steadily, reported sources.
Tunnel T3 and Earlier Milestones
Earlier in January, the project witnessed another breakthrough with the successful completion of Tunnel T3, measuring 2.6 km between Buguda and Banigochha. This tunnel, the longest in Nayagarh district, also used NATM and featured a complex 2-degree curve.
With the completion of all tunnel excavation activities, the project is one step closer to providing Odisha with seamless east-west railway connectivity. Beyond travel convenience, the rail link is expected to fuel socio-economic development in backwards districts and ease the movement of agricultural and industrial goods.
