By Arindam Ganguly, OP
Bhubaneswar: A 4.77-km-long viaduct being constructed under Khurda Road– Bolangir Railway Line is set to become the second-longest railway bridge in the country, following the iconic Bogibeel Bridge in Assam.
According to Railway sources, the viaduct is being built to avoid interference with the upcoming Brutang irrigation reservoir after a realignment of the railway route was finalised in consultation with the Water Resources (WR) department.
Deputy chief engineer Rajesh Kumar Das, working on the Viaduct project, stated that the construction began in January 2024 following a joint meeting between the Railway department, the state government, and the WR department.
Das emphasised that elevated viaducts are essential for navigating Odisha’s diverse landscape, which includes dense forests and river valleys. This particular viaduct is being constructed between Buguda and Banigoccha stations, traversing scenic mountains, rural areas, and villages.
The project, which involves 180 pillars, is scheduled for completion by August 2026. The project aims to minimise deforestation and ensure the uninterrupted movement of wildlife, including elephants.
The Khurda Road–Bolangir railway line spans a total of 301km, linking the eastern region near the state capital to the western district of Bolangir. The project passes through several underdeveloped and previously unconnected areas in Nayagarh, Boudh, and Subarnapur districts. For many communities along this route, this will be the first-ever railway connection, opening new avenues for mobility, commerce, and access to essential services.
As of mid-2025, 226 km of the total line have been completed and commissioned. The remaining stretch is in progress following key clearances and engineering breakthroughs.
A total of 21 new railway stations are being constructed along the route, each designed to enhance accessibility to remote towns and villages.
The project also features extensive civil works, including seven tunnels spanning 12.7 km, with the longest tunnel extending 4.18 km, as well as elevated viaducts and wildlife crossings. These infrastructure elements are essential for navigating Odisha’s varied landscape, which includes dense forests and river valleys, the sources said.
One of the most challenging segments of the project, from Daspalla to Purunakatak, passes through ecologically sensitive reserve forest areas, which led to significant delays due to the need for environmental clearance. However, after persistent coordination between the state government, the Ministry of Railways, and forest authorities, Stage-I forest clearance was secured in February 2023.
To overcome financial and administrative challenges, an MoU was signed in July 2015 between the state government and the Ministry of Railways. Under this agreement, the state has committed to providing land free of cost and bearing 50% of the construction cost for the stretch between Daspalla and Bolangir.
Environmental concerns have also been addressed with a series of eco-friendly engineering measures, including elevated structures to minimise deforestation, protect nearly two lakh trees, and ensure safe wildlife crossings—particularly for elephants and other native species, said the railway authorities.
Meanwhile, excavation for Tunnel T1 through T4 has been completed, with lining work currently underway, while Tunnels T5, T6, and T7 have completed both excavation and lining phases. The remaining works, including the critical viaduct and forest section, are expected to be completed by April 2026, aligning with the project’s final timeline, the authorities added.