Koilwar Sone River to Get India’s Second Four-Lane Rail Bridge, Three Trains to Run Simultaneously

East Central Railway has officially sent a proposal to the Railway Board for the construction of India’s second four-lane rail bridge over the Sone river in Koilwar. The detailed project report for this massive infrastructure project is expected to be submitted by April 2026. This initiative is designed to handle the increasing pressure on the Howrah-Patna-DDU rail section and significantly boost the speed of trains passing through Bihar.

How will the new rail bridge benefit passengers and operations?

The construction of this four-lane bridge will take place parallel to the existing bridge at Koilwar. Once the new structure is integrated with the current tracks, it will allow three trains to cross the river at the same time. Currently, the two-line system restricts movement to only one train in each direction. This expansion is a key component of the larger 17,000 crore project aimed at laying the third and fourth railway lines from DDU to Jhajha. The new bridge will be specifically designed to allow semi high-speed trains to cross the river without any speed restrictions, improving the overall efficiency of the Indian Railways network.

Key facts and financial details of the Koilwar project

The project involves significant investment and high-level coordination between various government bodies. Since the existing Abdul Bari Bridge was built in 1862 and is now 163 years old, its structural integrity has become a matter of concern. The new bridge will provide a permanent solution to these safety issues while modernizing the rail route.

While the proposal is moving forward, local authorities have also been addressing issues like illegal sand mining which poses a threat to bridge foundations. Although there were reports of encroachment notices being issued to local residents near the construction site, the Koilwar Circle Officer has not confirmed any such official orders yet.