Bhubaneswar: In a significant development aimed at completing the long-awaited Talcher-Bimalagarh New Broad Gauge (BG) Rail Link Project, the Ministry of Railways has invited tenders for the balance stretch of the project. This new rail link, spanning 149.78 km, is set to connect Talcher with Bimalagarh in Odisha, and the invitation for tender covers vital work including earthworks, bridge construction, station facilities, drainage systems, and more. The estimated cost for the tender is ₹726.129 crore.
The Talcher-Bimalagarh rail link was initially sanctioned in 2003-04 but has faced numerous delays over the years due to land acquisition issues, legal hurdles and other challenges. Despite these setbacks, approximately 26% of the project has already been completed, with 20 kilometers of the rail line constructed between Talcher and Sunakhani. Additionally, ongoing construction has extended the rail link another 30.5 kilometers towards Khamar in Angul district, with a goal of completing the project at the earliest.
Efforts to overcome the delays have been intensified. A significant portion of the private land in Angul district has been acquired and the state government is expected to provide the remaining land in the Deogarh and Sundargarh districts. Special Land Acquisition Officers deployed by the Railways are working closely with local authorities to ensure the land acquisition process proceeds without further hindrance.
In an effort to accelerate construction, work has been initiated from both ends of the rail line _ Talcher and Bimalagarh. The Bimalagarh-Mahuldiha section is already under construction, and the recent floating of a tender for the remaining 30.625 km stretch between Pallahara and Mahuldiha is expected to expedite progress significantly.
The Talcher-Bimalagarh project, which has faced delays of nearly 12 years, is now gaining momentum with proactive measures taken by the East Coast Railway (ECoR) administration. These measures include close coordination with state and district authorities to resolve issues related to land acquisition and litigation. The Ministry of Railways has made this project a priority, with Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw personally advising officials to expedite the construction and ensure the project’s completion.
A key milestone was achieved when the ECoR engineering team successfully carried out the final detonation in the 840-meter-long tunnel at Baruan Hill, located between Sunakhani and Samal stations in 2021. This breakthrough overcomes significant geographical challenges and is a crucial step forward in the project’s progression.
The economic benefits of this rail link will be substantial. Once completed, it will reduce the distance between Raurkela and Talcher by approximately 126 kilometers. This rail line will facilitate the efficient transportation of export-quality iron ore, boosting the local economy and benefiting industries in the region as well as the remote locations in Angul, Deogarh and Sundargarh Districts. Additionally, the project will play a vital role in promoting economic development in the interior districts of Angul, Deogarh and Sundargarh.
The East Coast Railway has also appointed dedicated Land Acquisition Officers to ensure the speedy completion of land acquisition and to maintain steady progress on construction. Regular reviews of the project’s status at the highest levels are being conducted, with officials receiving instructions to meet critical deadlines.
The Talcher-Bimalagarh rail link remains one of the most closely monitored infrastructure projects, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving regional connectivity and operational efficiency in Odisha. Under the leadership of Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw, efforts are underway to streamline traffic movements and improve facilities for the benefit of local stakeholders and industries and common people of the remote locations.
