Visakhapatnam: Accelerating progress, Waltair division of East Coast Railway (ECoR) has decided to fast-track the tunnel construction for 100 km by August. The construction of tunnels on the Kothavalasa Araku section of the Kothavalasa-Kirandul line, considered lifeline for the Railways due to its role in transportation of iron ore from Bailadilla mines to Visakhapatnam reached a significant milestone with the face blasting of 1.4 km-long tunnel No. 5 between Bodavara and Sivlingpuram.
Divisional Railway Manager Waltair Saurabh Prasad after inspecting the site said it marks a significant moment in the ongoing efforts to double the railway line by March, 2026. This is the fourth tunnel to be taken up out of the six tunnels to be constructed in the tough Badavara Sivalingapuram section.
The challenging Bodavara Sivlingpuram section, characterised by condolite rocks and soil comprising sandstone mixed with clay, underscores the complexity of the project. This initiative is designed to enhance the speed and efficiency of railway operations in the region, providing crucial infrastructure for future transportation needs.
The DRM was accompanied by ADRM Sudhir Gupta, Deputy Chief Engineer Rajeev Kumar, and other divisional officers. The team monitored the close coordination between construction and divisional officials, which has streamlined operations and expedited the construction of tunnels on the KK line A railway spokesman said 96.45 km of the 189 km-long Koraput Kothavalasa section has been completed and the division is likely to cross 100 km of doubling in this part of KK line by August 15 this year, with commissioning of Gorapur-Darliput section.