Khurda Road-Balangir New Rail Line Project has reached a momentous engineering milestone with the successful breakthrough of Tunnel No.
T2, situated between Buguda and Daspalla in Nayagarh District. This achievement on May 30, 2025, signifies the completion of excavation work across all seven planned tunnels within this strategically vital railway corridor, propelling Odisha closer to seamless intra-state connectivity and promising profound socio-economic transformation for its eastern and western regions.
Tunnel No. T2, a formidable structure measuring 1,775 metres in length and featuring a 2-degree curve, stands as a testament to modern rail construction. Its completion, utilising the advanced New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), represents a significant engineering feat, particularly given the challenging geological conditions of the Eastern Ghats terrain. This tunnel is the second-longest within Nayagarh District on the project, embodying the meticulous planning and innovative techniques deployed by Indian Railways to navigate complex natural landscapes, thereby setting a new benchmark for infrastructure execution in the region.
With the successful breakthrough of T2, all seven tunnels across the 75-kilometre stretch between Daspalla and Purunakatak are now fully excavated. These tunnels collectively span an impressive 12.76 kilometres, each presenting unique engineering challenges. The Nayagarh District segment includes T1 (800 metres), T2 (1,775 metres), and T3 (2,620 metres with a 2-degree curve). In Boudh District, the project overcame the complexities of constructing T4 (4,183 metres, complemented by a 700-metre escape tunnel), T5 (317 metres), T6 (290.75 metres), and T7 (1,975 metres). The construction process navigated highly variable soil and rock conditions, requiring precise design for multiple curved alignments, and often necessitated simultaneous dual-end tunnelling to adhere to stringent deadlines.
Beyond the sheer engineering prowess, the project has demonstrated a commendable commitment to environmental stewardship. Sections of these tunnels traverse areas in proximity to wildlife zones, necessitating the deployment of ecologically sensitive construction practices. Measures such as noise and vibration control were meticulously implemented to minimise disruption to the delicate ecosystem, embodying the principles of sustainable infrastructure development that aim for a zero net carbon footprint and harmonious integration with the natural environment. Despite the myriad of geological and environmental obstacles, the project has maintained steady and impressive progress, with each completed tunnel bringing the full vision of connectivity closer to reality.
The Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line, extending over 301 kilometres, has already seen significant operational segments, with 106 km from Khurda Road to Daspalla and 120 km from Balangir to Purunakatak already functional. The completion of the remaining 75-kilometre stretch from Purunakatak to Adhenigarh, now firmly on track with the final tunnel breakthrough, will establish seamless rail connectivity across Odisha. This transformation promises to drastically reduce travel time between major hubs like Bhubaneswar and Balangir, improve access to essential services such as education, healthcare, and markets for underserved communities, stimulate trade and regional development, and crucially, bolster freight movement across Odisha and beyond. This flagship initiative by Indian Railways is set to bridge critical infrastructure gaps and ignite inclusive economic growth, fostering a more equitable and connected society within the state.
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