Khurda Balangir Rail Line: Commissioner of Railway Safety, Shri Brijesh Mishra in his two day long visit to ECoR, conducted an inspection of the newly constructed rail line between Boudh and Purunakatak, a distance of 26.888 Kms, to review the safety aspects of the newly laid rail line of ongoing Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line project. Trial run of a light train has also been conducted.
This inspection is a crucial step towards ensuring the timely completion of the project, which is set to improve connectivity in remote and aspirational regions of Odisha. Commissioner Railway Safety (CRS) inspected this newly laid Rail Line on 25th & 26th March 2025 and given his sanction for commissioning of the section.
CRS has inspected the safety parameters of the newly laid Railway Track, Signalling System, Bridges and declared the newly laid rail line section fit of the on-going 301 km Khurda Road-Balangir Rail line project.
A team of senior Railway officials of East Coast Railway assisted CRS during the inspection.
Altogether, 239 kms rail line work has been commissioned out of 301kms. The Railways has been constructing the line from both the sides, i.e, from Khurda Road and Balangir for early completion of the project.
East Coast Railway is committed to developing Railway infrastructure in the region and working dedicatedly to complete the project at the earliest.
Hon’ble Railway Minister Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw consistently monitors the progress of this project in Odisha and the ministry has given priority for early completion of Khurda Road Balangir Rail Line project.
East Coast Railway General Manager Shri Parmeshwar Funkwal also being reviewing the status of the ongoing works regularly and instructing concerned officials to speed up the work and complete the remaining portion within the time line set by the Railway Board.
Key Highlights from the Inspection:
• Progress of Track laying: The engine rolling and testing for the track between Boudh and Purunakatak has already been successfully completed by the Construction Unit.
• Project Completion: Out of the total 301 km stretch of the Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line, 240 km has been completed and commissioned and fit for train operations.
• Progress on New Section: A significant milestone was achieved with the completion of a 27 km stretch between Purunakatak and Boudh. In the newly constructed stretch between Purunakatak and Champapur includes 9 major bridges, 2 Road Over Bridges (ROBs), 15 Road Under Bridges (RUBs), and 35 minor bridges, all essential for facilitating safe and efficient rail operations.
• Ongoing Construction Efforts: The construction activities are now progressing rapidly in the remaining sections. To expedite the completion, work is being carried out from both ends simultaneously, ensuring adherence to the project’s ambitious timeline.
• Remaining Section: Of the total 301 km, the remaining 62 km section between Purunakatak and Daspalla, which includes tunnel construction through dense jungle and sanctuary areas, is progressing steadily. The completion of these tunnels is expected to be a major breakthrough for the project.
A Vital Infrastructure Initiative
The Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line project is poised to significantly enhance transportation and economic development, particularly in the more remote and underserved regions of Odisha. By improving connectivity between key towns and cities, the rail line will facilitate smoother movement of train traffic, while also contributing to regional economic growth.
Shri Funkwal, in his last visit to Boudh and Purunakatak, emphasized the importance of maintaining the pace of construction and ensuring that necessary passenger amenities are in place at all the proposed stations. He further expressed confidence that the project will be completed on time, despite the engineering challenges posed by the difficult terrain, particularly the tunnel sections.
The project has gained close attention from the Ministry of Railways, which is committed to delivering this vital infrastructure on schedule. The successful completion of the Boudh-Purunakatak section is a major step forward and demonstrates the dedication of Indian Railways in overcoming engineering challenges to deliver critical infrastructure in the most difficult environments.
After completion of related infrastructure and amenities, decision on running train services will be taken on the newly laid sections. Trial run has already been conducted to ensure the track’s fitness for regular train operations.
As the project continues to progress, the Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line remains a key initiative for enhancing connectivity and creating new opportunities for economic development across Odisha.
