In a major boost to railway infrastructure in Bihar and along the high-density Delhi-Howrah corridor, the railways on Tuesday sanctioned Rs 962 crore for the construction of a proposed third railway line between Kiul and Jhajha under the Danapur division of the East Central Railway (ECR). The 54-km stretch is considered strategically important for enhancing rail capacity and improving connectivity in eastern India.
Union Minister Highlights Strategic Importance
Union railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project would significantly strengthen rail connectivity by providing smoother access to Haldia Port in Kolkata and improving links to Raxaul and the Nepal-bordering regions. He stated, “The additional line infrastructure will facilitate seamless movement of passenger and freight trains while supporting industrial growth and trade connectivity across the region.”
ECR Official Comments on Congestion Relief
According to the ECR’s chief public relations officer (CPRO) Saraswati Chandra, the Kiul-Jhajha route is a crucial part of the busy Delhi-Howrah mainline route, one of the most congested railway corridors in the country. He explained, “Thus, the addition of a third line will help ease traffic congestion, improve punctuality of trains and facilitate faster movement of both passengers and freight traffic operations.” Chandra added that the Railway Board has already approved the plan to construct third and fourth railway lines along the entire DDU-Patna-Jhajha mainline route, a stretch of 400 km, in a phased manner. Several stretches under the project have already received approval.
Previous Sanctions and Overall Project Cost
The previously sanctioned sections included Fatuha-Bakhtiyarpur (24 km), Bakhtiyarpur-Punarkh (30 km) and Punarkh-Kiul (50 km). The CPRO noted, “However, with the latest approval for the Kiul-Jhajha third line, the railways has moved another step closer towards completing the larger corridor expansion project.” He added that the entire multi-phase project is estimated to cost around Rs 17,000 crore and is expected to play a vital role in strengthening freight operations, passenger movement and regional economic growth across Bihar and eastern India.
