Bhubaneswar: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) has marked another significant achievement with the completion and commissioning of the Sonepur-Jharmunda rail section, bringing the total commissioned length of the Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Link Project to 183 kilometers. This project milestone now connects Boudh district to the railway network, further enhancing the region’s connectivity.
The Jharmunda-Boudh rail section, spanning 16.27 kilometers, has also been completed, with the successful completion of the engine rolling experiment on the new line. This crucial development is part of the ongoing efforts to complete the Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Link Project, which covers a total distance of 301 kilometers.
A few days ago, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) inspected the 29.75-kilometer stretch between Sonepur, Purunapani, and Jharmunda, marking another important step toward the project’s completion. The ongoing work on the Khurda Road-Balangir project is being conducted from both ends—Khurda Road and Balangir—ensuring that the project progresses efficiently and within the targeted timeline.
So far, 106 kilometers from Khurda Road to Daspalla and 77 kilometers from Balangir to Jharmunda have been commissioned. With the completion of the Jharmunda-Boudh section, attention now shifts to the segment from Boudh to Purunakatak, which covers approximately 27 kilometers and is expected to be completed in the coming months.
The Sonepur-Purunapani-Jharmunda rail section features significant infrastructure, including one important bridge, seven major bridges, four road over bridges (ROBs), 22 road under bridges (RUBs)/limited height subways (LHS), and 65 minor bridges. The Jharmunda-Boudh section includes six major bridges, one ROB, 12 RUB/LHSs, 37 minor bridges, and 16.05 lakh cubic meters of earthwork. With the completion of this section, Boudh district is now connected to western Odisha through the railway network.
The Ministry of Railways has placed a high priority on the Khurda Road-Balangir project, recognizing its importance for the public, particularly in remote areas. The project’s progress is closely monitored to ensure timely completion, with construction being carried out from both sides to expedite the work and achieve the project’s early completion.