The Khurda Road–Balangir new rail line project reached a significant milestone with the breakthrough of Odisha’s longest railway tunnel — the 4,185-metre-long Adenigarh–Charichhak tunnel — under the East Coast Railway jurisdiction.

The tunnel, part of a seven-tunnel network in the project, faced delays due to loose soil conditions. It is the final of four tunnels in Boudh district, with the remaining three already completed.

A formal breakthrough ceremony was held on-site in the presence of officials from East Coast Railway, including General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal and senior engineers, along with representatives from Gayatri InfraRail Ltd (GIRL), the firm executing the project.

The Adenigarh–Charichhak tunnel lies approximately eighty metres underground and is set to enhance regional connectivity by linking east and west Odisha. Construction proceeded on a war footing over two years without any incidents.

With both ends of the tunnel now open, concrete works will commence shortly, followed by track laying. Once operational, the Khurda–Balangir line will significantly boost travel and transport across the region.

Source: OdishaBytes