The Khurda Road–Bolangir new railway line project has achieved a historic milestone with the successful breakthrough of Tunnel No. T2, located between Buguda and Daspalla in Nayagarh District.
The final breakthrough was completed on May 30, 2025, marking the completion of excavation work across all seven planned tunnels in this strategic railway corridor.
Tunnel No. T2 is a landmark in modern rail construction, with a length of 1,775 meters and a 2-degree curve. It has been constructed using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), a modern tunneling technology.
It is the second-longest tunnel in Nayagarh District and a significant part of the project. It was constructed using advanced technology and tunneling methods to overcome the challenging Eastern Ghats terrain, setting a new benchmark in infrastructure execution for Indian Railways.
East Coast Railway (ECoR) sources said that with the completion of T2, the breakthrough of all seven tunnels in the 75-kilometer stretch between Daspalla and Purunakatak has now been achieved.
Constructing these tunnels involved tackling multiple complex challenges, including highly variable soil and rock conditions, multiple tunnels with curved alignments requiring precise design, and simultaneous dual-end tunneling to meet deadlines.
ECoR said that some sections of the tunnels were located near wildlife zones, forcing the Railways to deploy ecologically sensitive construction practices and noise and vibration control measures.
Despite these obstacles, the project has made steady and impressive progress, with each breakthrough marking a step closer to full connectivity.
The Khurda Road–Bolangir Rail Line spans 301 kilometer, with significant portions already operational. While the Khurda Road to Daspalla (106 km) and Balangir to Purunakatak (120 km) sections have been completed, the remaining 75 km stretch from Purunakatak to Adhenigarh is in progress.
Completion of this final segment will establish seamless rail connectivity between eastern and western Odisha, bringing extensive benefits to both passenger and freight traffic.
It will reduce travel time between Bhubaneswar and Balangir, improve access to education, healthcare, and markets, stimulate trade and regional development, and support freight movement across Odisha and beyond.
The Khurda Road–Bolangir Rail Line Project is a flagship infrastructure initiative by Indian Railways aimed at enhancing intra-state connectivity across Odisha.
It promises to transform regional transportation, bridge gaps, and fuel inclusive economic growth in the state.
