In a significant development, the Ministry of Railways has invited tenders for the remaining stretch of the long-awaited Talcher-Bimlagarh new rail line project, aiming for its swift completion.

Sanctioned in 2003-04, the 149.78 km project has faced multiple delays over the years, primarily due to land acquisition issues, legal obstacles, and other challenges.

Despite these setbacks, approximately 26 per cent of the project has been completed, including the construction of 20 km of rail line between Talcher and Sunakhani. Additionally, work is on-going on a 30.5 km stretch towards Khamar in Angul district.

Sources from the Railways indicated that fresh tenders have been issued for the 30.62 km stretch between Pallahara and Mahuldiha, with an estimated cost of Rs 7.26 billion. To accelerate construction, work has commenced from both ends of the rail line—Talcher and Bimlagarh. The Bimlagarh-Mahuldiha section is currently under construction.

A significant portion of the private land in Angul district has already been acquired, and the state government is expected to provide the remaining land in Deogarh and Sundargarh districts. Special land acquisition officers deployed by the Railways are working closely with local authorities to ensure the timely acquisition of land, sources added.

The Ministry of Railways has made the project a priority, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw personally overseeing efforts to expedite construction and ensure its completion.

The East Coast Railway (ECoR) recently achieved a major milestone by completing the final detonation in the 840-metre-long tunnel at Baruan Hill, located between Sunakhani and Samal stations. This breakthrough overcomes significant geographical challenges and represents a crucial step forward in the project.

Once completed, the railway line will reduce the distance between Rourkela and Talcher by nearly 126 km.