States » EastPosted at: Nov 2 2026 5:42PM


Railways mobilises heavy equipment, specialised teams to clear massive landslide debris in Odisha’s Kandhamal

Bhubaneswar, Nov 2 (UNI) Indian Railways has launched an extensive emergency mobilisation, deploying specialised teams, heavy machinery and technical equipment to assist the Odisha Government in clearing massive debris and boulders following a landslide that blocked a key road in Kandhamal district.
The massive landslide, triggered by torrential rainfall under the influence of Cyclone ‘Arnab’, has blocked the Kilapanga Ghat Road in G. Udayagiri block, disrupting road connectivity to several nearby villages.
Huge boulders, massive heaps of soil and uprooted trees have rolled down the hillside, completely obstructing the affected stretch and posing a major challenge to restoration efforts.
Responding to the emergency, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has mobilised specialised manpower and heavy equipment to support the district administration in removing the debris and shifting large boulders from the road.
The decision to extend railway assistance followed a high-level conference call involving union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, State Revenue Minister Suresh Pujari, Chief Secretary Anu Garg and East Coast Railway General Manager.
The meeting reviewed the ground situation and assessed the assistance required from the Railways to expedite the clearance operation. ECoR was directed to extend all possible support to the State Government in tackling the emergency.
As part of the operation, the Railways is deploying a specialised controlled-blasting team equipped with the necessary machinery and technical expertise. Teams from Sonepur and Rairakhol, along with their respective supervisors, have been mobilised to assist in the operation.
Specialised equipment, including chain-pulley systems, Tirfor machines and suitable slings, has also been arranged to facilitate the safe lifting, shifting and removal of massive boulders and other debris obstructing the road.
The Sonepur TRD breakdown vehicle, accompanied by staff and equipment, has already reached Charichhak, while the Rairakhol team is on its way to the affected location.
In a further boost to the clearance operation, three trucks carrying specialised equipment and personnel have been dispatched from Malligura, Jeypore and Koraput to G. Udayagiri.
The deployment includes technical supervisors, a blaster, drillers, two sets of tractor compressors, two sets of jackhammers and blasting materials.
These specialised teams and equipment will assist in controlled blasting and the removal of enormous boulders that have blocked the road. Additional resources will be mobilised as required, depending on the progress and operational needs at the site.
East Coast Railway is maintaining close coordination with the Kandhamal district administration to ensure the effective deployment of manpower and machinery and the smooth execution of the debris-clearance operation.
All concerned railway departments and officials have been instructed to accord the operation top priority and ensure the timely mobilisation of the required resources.
East Coast Railway has assured the State Government and district administration of all possible assistance in tackling the natural disaster and expediting efforts to restore road connectivity to the affected villages.
UNI DP
Tags: #Railways mobilises heavy equipment# specialised teams to clear massive landslide debris in Odisha’s Kandhamal
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