A 26.88 km section of the Khurda Road-Balangir railway line is set to be commissioned soon after Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) Brijesh Mishra inspected the new stretch between Purunakatak and Boudh and declared it fit for operations. With this, 239 km of the total 301 km line has now been completed. Indian Railways is executing the project from both the Khurda Road and Balangir ends to expedite construction.

CRS reviewed safety parameters of the newly laid track, signalling systems, and bridges. A light engine trial run was also conducted following the inspection. The new section features nine major bridges, two road overbridges (ROBs), 15 road underbridges (RUBs), and 35 minor bridges—all vital for safe operations. Construction on the remaining 62 km stretch between Purunakatak and Daspalla, which includes seven tunnels through forest and sanctuary areas, is progressing well. One major tunnel of 4.8 km has already been completed using advanced tunnelling methods. Originally sanctioned in 1995, the line aims to enhance connectivity and foster development in remote regions of Odisha.