Boudh: The East Coast Railway (ECoR) on Monday issued a clarification amid reports that a portion of an under-construction tunnel on Khurda Road-Balangir rail line project had caved in near Adenigarh in Boudh district, raising concerns about the quality of work.
“A minor soil caving in occurred this afternoon at Tunnel No. 4 on the Khurda-Balangir railway line,” the ECoR said, attributing the incident to loose soil formation and continuous rainfall in the area.
“There has been no impact on manpower or machinery, and the incident will not affect the overall progress of the project. All necessary safety measures are in place, and work continues as planned,” it added.
The ECoR als
o confirmed no injuries or fatalities in the incident.
The GR Infraprojects is carrying out the tunnel construction work. Some district-level railway officials have reached the site, which has now been sealed, to inspect the matter, sources said.
Earlier reports indicated that a crater of 30 metres had formed on the ground after the tunnel collapse. There were concerns that the tunnel collapse could delay the completion of the 75-km Daspalla–Purunakatak stretch, critical for linking the 226 km already commissioned (105.8 km from Khurda Road to Daspalla and 120 km from Balangir to Purunakatak). The project’s revised deadline is December 2026.
The incident also raised questions about geological stability in the Eastern Ghats terrain, especially given prior challenges with loose soil.
Last month, the project reached a significant milestone with the successful completion of the 4,185-m-long tunnel, designated as T-4, between Adenigarh and Charichhak stations in Boudh district. “Work is actively underway on the remaining 75-km stretch between Dasapalla and Purnakatak, which includes seven tunnels. The completion of T-4 is expected to accelerate construction on the crucial section,” the ECOR had then said.
The rail corridor is expected to improve connectivity between Odisha’s coastal belt and its western hinterland.
“About a month ago, we were thrilled with the tunnel’s inauguration. We were promised train connectivity within a year, but this incident has raised questions on the progress of the project,” said a local resident.