ECoR logs key tunnelling milestone in Eastern Ghats projects
In a significant push to infrastructure development across challenging terrain, the East Coast Railway (ECoR) has recorded breakthrough achievements in five major tunnels during the 2025–26 period. The progress spans key projects cutting through the Eastern Ghats, marking one of the most productive phases of tunnelling execution in recent years.
The latest milestone was achieved on April 14, 2026, with the breakthrough of Tunnel No. 30 in the Sikarpai–Keutguda section of the Koraput–Singapur Road doubling project under the Waltair Division. The 1,043-metre tunnel, driven from both portals on a 5-degree curved alignment, was completed with precise geometric convergence, ensuring accurate breakthrough without deviation.
A senior ECoR official noted the technical demands involved, stating, “Maintaining alignment accuracy on curved tunnel drives in such complex geological formations is highly challenging. This success reflects the strength of our surveying systems and disciplined field execution.”
Further progress was reported in the Khurda Road–Balangir new line project, where two major tunnels achieved full breakthrough during the year. Tunnel T-4, the longest on the alignment at 4,185 metres, and Tunnel T-2, measuring 1,775 metres, together account for nearly six kilometres of excavation through difficult hill sections of the Eastern Ghats.
Officials highlighted that these drives encountered varying strata conditions, including fractured rock zones and groundwater ingress. “Each tunnel section presents distinct geotechnical challenges. Managing these conditions while maintaining steady progress demonstrates the effectiveness of mechanised tunnelling methods and coordinated site operations,” the official added.
Earlier breakthroughs in the same corridor included Tunnel T-5 and T-6, each 250 metres long, completed in July 2025, followed by Tunnel T-7, measuring 1,975 metres, which was holed through in November 2025. These sequential achievements indicate sustained momentum across the project stretch.
According to ECoR, the cumulative tunnelling progress during the year reached 7,051 metres of breakthroughs, while 2,475 metres have been fully completed with lining and allied civil works. Additional breakthroughs were also achieved in the Koraput–Rayagada and Koraput–Singapur Road doubling sections.
The railway zone said these developments are critical to strengthening connectivity between coastal and western Odisha. The projects are expected to enhance line capacity, improve freight movement efficiency, reduce travel time, and provide better access to remote and hilly regions.
“The objective extends beyond construction milestones. The focus remains on long-term operational stability in difficult terrain conditions,” the official said.
ECoR described the achievement as part of its sustained, mission-mode approach to delivering complex railway infrastructure in one of the most geologically demanding corridors in the country.