Tunnel breakthrough in Khurda Rd-Balangir rail line

Bhubaneswar: Workers on Wednesday made a tunnel breakthrough on the Khurda Road-Balangir railway line project. The 4,185-m-long tunnel, designated as T-4, will connect Adenigarh and Charichhak stations in Boudh district.

This engineering feat represents not only the longest tunnel in the project but also sets a new record for tunnel construction in Odisha, read an official statement of East Coast Railway (ECoR).

The project already made substantial progress, with 226 km of the planned 301-km route now operational. The commissioned sections extend from Khurda Road to Dasapalla and from Balangir to Purnakatak, read the ECOR statement.

"Work is actively underway on the remaining 75-km stretch between Dasapalla and Purnakatak, which includes seven tunnels. The completion of T-4 is expected to accelerate construction on the crucial section," said an ECOR spokesperson.

Once completed, the ECOR statement said the rail corridor will significantly enhance connectivity between Odisha's coastal belt and its western hinterland, promising improved transportation, economic opportunities and regional development.