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Bhubaneswar, Mar 27 (UNI) Commissioner of Railway Safety, Brijesh Mishra has conducted an inspection of the newly constructed rail line between Boudh and Purunakatak, a distance of 26.888 km, to review the safety aspects of the newly laid rail line of ongoing Khurda Road-Bolangir Rail Line project.
This inspection is a crucial step towards ensuring the timely completion of the project, which is set to improve connectivity in remote and aspirational regions of Odisha.
East Coast Railway(ECoR) sources said out of the total 301 km stretch of the Khurda Road-Bolangir Rail Line, 240 km has been completed and commissioned and fit for train operations.
The Commissioner Railway Safety (CRS) inspected this newly laid Rail Line on March 25 and 26 and gave his sanction for commissioning of the section.
The CRS has inspected the safety parameters of the newly laid Railway Track, Signalling System, Bridges and declared the newly laid rail line section fit of the on-going 301 km Khurda Road-Bolangir Rail line project.
A team of senior Railway officials of East Coast Railway assisted CRS during the inspection.
The Railways has been constructing the line from both the sides, i.e, from Khurda Road and Balangir for early completion of the project.
ECoR sources said Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw consistently monitors the progress of this project in Odisha and the ministry has given priority for early completion of Khurda Road Bolangir Rail Line project.
ECoR General Manager Parmeshwar Funkwal has also been reviewing the status of the ongoing works regularly and instructing concerned officials to speed up the work and complete the remaining portion within the timeline set by the Railway Board.
The engine rolling and testing for the track between Boudh and Purunakatak has already been successfully completed by the Construction Unit.
Out of the total 301 km stretch of the Khurda Road-Bolangir Rail Line, 240 km has been completed and commissioned and fit for train operations.
In the newly constructed stretch between Purunakatak and Champapur 9 major bridges, 2 Road Over Bridges (ROBs), 15 Road Under Bridges (RUBs), and 35 minor bridges, all essential for facilitating safe and efficient rail operations, were completed.
The construction activities are now progressing rapidly in the remaining sections. To expedite the completion, work is being carried out from both ends simultaneously, ensuring adherence to the project's ambitious timeline.
Of the total 301 km, the remaining 62 km section between Purunakatak and Daspalla, which includes tunnel construction through dense jungle and sanctuary areas, is progressing steadily.
The completion of these tunnels is expected to be a major breakthrough for the project.
The Khurda Road-Bolangir Rail Line project is poised to significantly enhance transportation and economic development, particularly in the more remote and underserved regions of Odisha.
By improving connectivity between key towns and cities, the rail line will facilitate smoother movement of train traffic, while also contributing to regional economic growth.
The project has gained close attention from the Ministry of Railways, which is committed to delivering this vital infrastructure on schedule.
The successful completion of the Boudh-Purunakatak section is a major step forward and demonstrates the dedication of Indian Railways in overcoming engineering challenges to deliver critical infrastructure in the most difficult environments.
After completion of related infrastructure and amenities, decision on running train services will be taken on the newly laid sections. Trial run has already been conducted to ensure the track's fitness for regular train operations.
As the project continues to progress, the Khurda Road-Bolangir Rail Line remains a key initiative for enhancing connectivity and creating new opportunities for economic development across Odisha.
UNI DP SJC