BERHAMPUR: Heavy rains washed away nearly 10 metres of the railway embankment near tunnel no. 7 of the under-construction Khurda-Balangir line in Boudh district on Monday, leaving the track formation hanging in the air and flooding nearby villages.
According to local reports, rainwater flowing from the nearby hills entered the construction zone with great force and eroded the entire soil base beneath the railway embankment. An electricity pole located near the site was also uprooted by the strong current.
The overflowing water entered nearby villages and created a flood-like situation, affecting normal life in the surrounding area. Residents said the sudden increase in water level caused panic as water spread to low-lying parts of the villages close to the railway alignment.
The damage to the embankment has highlighted the vulnerability of construction activities in hilly areas during the monsoon season. The Khurda-Balangir railway line is considered one of Odisha’s important infrastructure projects, aimed at improving connectivity between coastal and western Odisha.
Official sources said the incident is likely to delay start of train services to Charichhak station. With restoration work required at the affected site, the possibility of early rail movement up to Charichhak appears unlikely. Railway engineers and construction agencies are expected to assess the extent of the damage before taking up repair and stabilisation work.
Authorities are monitoring the situation, while local residents have demanded immediate protective measures to prevent further erosion and flooding near the construction corridor.