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It’s a short narrative based on geography. The District headquarters town of Boudh (in Odisha) has now been linked with the railway network. The town is on the route of the important 301 km long Khurda Road- Bolangir railway line now being constructed. Construction of the line is going on from both ends. From Bolangir end, the line is now open up to Purunakatak, and from Khurda Road end, up to Daspalla.
Between Daspalla and Purunakatak, the stretch is eco-sensitive, and the Railways are constructing a few tunnels and making an elaborate viaduct arrangement. The entire line is expected to be completed by December 2026.
Train service from Purunakatak and Boudh has been inaugurated by Jaswasi Prime Minister, Narendra Modiji, on 20th of June, 2025.
A few young bloggers have been following the progress of this line and coming out with regular video updates. I admire their enthusiasm and watch these updates with great interest. They show the interiors of the long tunnels being built, the progress of viaduct , they show the elaborate Railway station of Boudh. The station, in fact, has been done very well.
The town is close to Rairakhole, across the Mahanadi, and is just 27 km away. I know people from Sambalpur coming to Boudh take a train up to Rairakhole and then come to Boudh by a bus or taxi. That way, the total distance between Sambalpur and Boudh is 71 km+27km =98 km.
If someone would like to go from Boudh to Sambalpur exclusively by train, he can, through Sonepur, Bolangir, and Bargarh. But the route is longer— 212 kms. Railways, in their wisdom, have now introduced an Express Train between Boudh and Sambalpur. The passenger would travel 212 km through nine stations.
Railways have also introduced a weekly Express Train between Boudh and Bhubaneswar via Sambalpur. A passenger would reach Bhubaneswar, travelling 477 km on this route. Someone concerned with his money and time would prefer a short road ride of 27 km to Rairakhole and take a train to Bhubaneswar at a distance of only 208 km. A person can also have a Bus ride from Boudh to Bhubaneswar on the National Highway and cover the distance of only 226 km.
Now let’s think if these two new Express Trains introduced along with the inauguration of the Railway link to Boudh are in sync with the normal aspirations of the people of that region. With the Railway at their door, they would like to get connected with more convenient destinations, which would facilitate trade, commerce, and wholesale prosperity.
Raipur is now at a distance of only 358 km. The new line connects Raipur with four District headquarters— Boudh, Sonepur, Bolangir, and Nawapara, and an intercity Express between Boudh and Raipur would have been an appropriate facility for the people of the four Districts. Let’s hope such a service will be available soon.
Railways should also think of a quick link between Rairakhole and Boudh — about 27 kms and integrate regions between the north and south of the Mahanadi.
(DISCLAIMER: This is an opinion piece. The views expressed are the author’s own and have nothing to do with OTV’s charter or views. OTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
