Tunnel Breakthrough Marks Milestone in Khurda Road–Balangir Railway Project
Completion of Tunnel T2 signals major progress in bridging Odisha’s East–West rail connectivity
In a significant advancement for Odisha’s railway infrastructure, the Khurda Road–Balangir New Railway Line project has achieved a crucial engineering milestone with the successful excavation breakthrough of Tunnel No. T2. Located between Buguda and Daspalla in Nayagarh district, the 1,775-metre tunnel was completed on May 30, marking the end of all tunneling works along the strategic 75-km Daspalla–Purunakatak section.
Constructed using the globally acclaimed New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM), Tunnel T2 features a 2-degree curvature and is the second-longest tunnel in Nayagarh district. Its completion highlights Indian Railways’ engineering prowess in navigating the geologically challenging terrain of the Eastern Ghats while ensuring minimal ecological disruption.
With this milestone, all seven tunnels planned for the Daspalla–Purunakatak segment have now been successfully excavated. Collectively spanning 12.76 kilometres, these tunnels traverse difficult and environmentally sensitive landscapes across Nayagarh and Boudh districts.
Tunnel Specifications:
Nayagarh District:
T1: 800 metres
T2: 1,775 metres
T3: 2,620 metres (curved alignment)
Boudh District:
T4: 4,183 metres + 700-metre escape tunnel
T5: 317 metres
T6: 290.75 metres
T7: 1,975 metres
The construction process faced numerous technical challenges, including complex rock strata, curve engineering, and compliance with stringent environmental regulations, particularly due to the proximity of wildlife habitats and eco-sensitive zones.
The Khurda Road–Balangir line is a 301-kilometre greenfield railway project being developed in phases. So far, the 106-km stretch from Khurda Road to Daspalla and the 120-km section from Balangir to Purunakatak have been completed and operationalised. The final 75-km segment, which includes the newly completed tunnels, is nearing completion.
Once fully commissioned, the railway corridor is expected to drastically cut travel time between eastern and western Odisha, expand access to essential services, and enhance freight logistics. It is poised to be a game-changer for socio-economic development in the central districts of Odisha, particularly in historically underserved regions.
The breakthrough at Tunnel T2 underscores Indian Railways’ commitment to advancing critical infrastructure that fosters inclusive growth and connectivity across the state.
