Sonepur-Khambeswarpalli Railway Line Commissioned in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s much-anticipated Khurda Road-Balangir railway line gets a boost with the commissioning of the Sonepur-Khambeswarpalli section. The 10.5 km stretch, inspected and approved by the Commissioner of Railway Safety on Friday, marks a significant milestone in the 301 km project.

Rigorous inspections of tracks, signalling systems, and bridges ensured the section meets all safety standards before opening to passenger and freight traffic.

With 152.8 km already operational, the Railways are fast-tracking construction from both Khurda Road and Balangir ends for early completion. Prime Minister Modi himself dedicated two sections earlier, highlighting the project’s national importance.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw’s close monitoring and the ministry’s prioritization of the project bode well for its swift completion.

East Coast Railway General Manager Manoj Sharma has urged officials to expedite work and meet the Railway Board’s deadlines, bringing the remaining sections online soon.