Odisha: Jharmunda-Boudh section of Khurda Road-Balangir rail line gets CRS nod.

In a notable advancement for Odisha's Khurda Road-Balangir rail project, the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) has approved the commissioning of a crucial 16.2-km section between Jharmunda and Boudh stations. Officials announced this milestone on Thursday, emphasizing the line's potential to significantly improve connectivity to Odisha's interior regions.

Construction is progressing rapidly on adjacent sections, including the 13.7-km Boudh-Champapur stretch and the 13.4-km Champapur-Purunakatak stretch. "To expedite completion, construction is being pursued from both ends," the East Coast Railway's statement noted.

Spanning a total length of 301 km, the Khurda Road-Balangir rail line has already seen 199 km commissioned. An additional 27 km from Boudh to Purunakatak is nearing completion, while work on the challenging 75-km Purunakatak-Daspalla segment, involving tunnel construction through rugged terrain, is also advancing.

The project is expected to foster economic development and improve transport in remote areas. Despite engineering challenges, especially in the tunnel-rich Daspalla segment, the project is achieving significant milestones, the statement said.

Following a safety inspection of the Jharmunda-Boudh segment, the CRS has authorized train operations, though services will begin once additional infrastructure and passenger amenities are in place. A light engine trial run on the segment has already been successfully conducted.

ET