07-20-2024, 05:24 PM
The article https://pragativadi.com/khurda-road-bala...e-by-2026/ dated March 10, 2024 has a lot of details about the current status of this line. It also mentions a bit of the history of this line. Following are some excerpts:
Quote:Khurda Road—Balangir Rail Line Boasts 7 Tunnels; Project To Complete By 2026
Rail line between Sonepur to Adhenigarh to be completed by May 2024
By Yajati Keshari Rout Last updated Mar 10, 2024
Bhubaneswar: Indian Railways’ much-awaited Khurda Road–Balangir Rail Line project will build a new rail link between western and coastal Odisha, connecting six districts in its route – Balangir, Sonepur, Phulbani, Boudh, Nayagarh, and Khurda.
The total budget of the project is Rs 3799 crore and is expected to be completed by 2026.
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It has also been targeted to complete the rest of the stretch, i.e., from Daspalla to Purunakatak, a stretch of 75 km is expected to be completed by Dec’2026.
Accordingly, the Railways have planned 7 tunnels in the route. In Boudh District, four tunnels are being constructed while Tunnel 5 has been completed and finishing work will be done. Also, construction of Tunnels 4, 6 & 7 is underway.
... The combined length of tunnels T4, T5, T6, and T7 is a staggering 7.492 kilometres, including an escape tunnel spanning 700 meters.
Here’s a closer look at each tunnel:-.
Tunnel T4: This engineering marvel stretches from Km 156+231.5 to Km 160.415, boasting an extraordinary length of 4185 meters, there’s also a 700-meter escape tunnel ensuring safety.
Tunnel T5: Tunnel T5 covers a distance from Km 164+464 to Km 164+780.68, spanning 317 meters.
Tunnel T6: With a length of 315 meters, Tunnel T6 extends from Km 165+000.6 to Km 165+279.8.
Tunnel T7: With a length of 1975 meters, Tunnel T7 extends from Km 168+528.1 to Km 170+501.7.
Rail Bridge Over Tel River
The most important aspect of the project is the Rail Bridge on River Tel connecting the Sonepur and Boudh Districts.
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This river connects with Mahanadi after 1&1/2 km and when the Mahanadi water level grows, the water at Tel Bridge flows reverse.
Viaduct to protect forest, wildlife movement
Railways are constructing a viaduct in a forest area between Banigochha and Adhenigarh.
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With the recent planned opening of the Ex-Sonepur-Jharmunda section, (Length Km: 28.765) the section between Khurda(455.340KmF/HWH)-Balangir(300.838Krn) will be operational at 182.555 Km out of 301 Km of Khurda Road-Balangir Rail Line Project. (From Balangir-End).
The sanctioned cost of all the parts and detailed estimate of the entire project stands at Rs 3799 Cr. Phase-I i.e. Khurda Road-Begunia section (32.000Km) is the starting portion of the Khurda Road-Balangir B.G. Rail Line Project (Length 301Km.) taking off from Khurda Road Station (Km:455.340 F/HWH) of Howrah-Madras Line, Khurda Road Division, E.Co.Railway, Khurda Dist. Of Odisha State and the same was commissioned on 16.07.2015 for passenger traffic.
The next block section Begunia -Rajsunakhala was commissioned on 20.03.2017. The block section Rajsunakhala – Bolagarh Road was commissioned on 19.06.2017. The block sections between Nayagarhtown – MahipurdiMahipur- Nuagaon were commissioned on 26.12.2019 and 30.06.2022. The block section between Bichhupali-Balangir was commissioned on 15.01.2019, Jhartarbha-Bichhupali section was commissioned on 10.11.2022. Khambeswarpalli-Jhartarbha was commissioned on 12.07.2023. And, Sonepur-Khambeswarpalli was commissioned on 29.12.2023.