Odisha: Under-construction tunnel collapses on Khordha-Balangir Rail Line

Boudh: Safety concerns have surfaced regarding the quality of construction on the Khordha-Balangir railway line after a section of an under-construction tunnel collapsed this evening in Boudh district.

The incident occurred at Tunnel No. 4 near Adenigada, where a 30-meter-wide crater formed following the cave-in of a portion of the 4-kilometer-long tunnel. The extent of casualties remains unclear, although fears persist that workers may have been inside the tunnel at the time of the collapse.

Sources indicate that construction was ongoing around the clock, as the contractor, GR Infraprojects, was working under a tight deadline. This has raised concerns that laborers may have been present during the incident, and potential injuries or fatalities cannot be ruled out.

In an official statement, however, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) downplayed the severity of the incident. ECoR described the collapse as a “minor soil caving in” caused by loose soil and persistent rainfall in the region.

“There has been no impact on manpower or machinery, and the incident will not affect the overall progress of the project,” the statement read. “All necessary safety measures are in place, and work continues as planned.”

The tunnel, which is the longest railway tunnel under construction in Odisha, was inaugurated about a month ago. A breakthrough in its structure was achieved just a few days prior to the incident.

GR Infraprojects, the firm responsible for the construction, has not yet issued any public comment on the mishap.