Koraput: Railways on Wednesday floated a tender for geological investigation, mapping and detailed study of tunnel alignments for the proposed Jeypore-Malkangiri line. The tender will cover the tunnel alignment between Tanginiguda and Govindpally stations.
The tender includes studies for at least 11 tunnels along the 130-km stretch, signalling a renewed focus on advancing the project, which was announced eight years ago but has seen slow progress, particularly in land acquisition.
"With plans for two major industries in the pipeline, the railway line is expected to attract even more ventures to the district. Tribal communities are expected to benefit the most. Govt should expedite the project," said Santosh Achary, a resident of Malkangiri.
Officials said land acquisition will be conducted in 42 villages in Malkangiri district and 29 villages in Koraput. The project, announced in 2016, is being developed under an MoU signed between the state govt and railway ministry in 2017. As per the agreement, state govt will bear the entire cost of land acquisition and 25% of the estimated Rs 2,700 crore project cost.