Bhubaneswar: The newly-laid 14.6-km broad gauge rail line between Damanjodi and Baiguda of the 164-km Koraput-Singapur Road (Rayagada) doubling project has been completed and commissioned.
Commissioner Railway Safety (CRS) evaluated the safety parameters of the railway track, signaling system and bridges on January 7 and gave the go-ahead for commissioning of the section. The completed railway section of this project is now open for train traffic, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) informed.
A team of senior Railway officials of East Coast Railway assisted CRS during the inspection, it added.
Altogether, 33.50 km of the 164.5-km rail line work has been commissioned. In the last fiscal year, 18.9 km of doubling work from Koraput to Damanjodi was commissioned. Another 21.75 km stretch from Laxmipur to Tikiri is likely to be commissioned in the current year. “Steps are being taken for the construction of 45.86 km of doubling work between Bhalumuska to Tikiri, which lies in hilly and jungle areas. Other doubling works are also in progress in different parts of the project. Despite facing challenges in remote and hilly terrain, the Railways is committed to constructing the line on a war-footing basis for the early completion of the project,” the release further said.
It added that Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw is actively monitoring the progress of the project in Odisha. The Ministry has given priority to ensure the early completion of the Koraput-Rayagada Rail Line Doubling Project. General Manager, ECoR, Manoj Sharma has also instructed officials concerned to speed up the work and complete the remaining portion within the time line set by the Railway Board.
