The Indian Railways has given the green signal for a massive infrastructure project in Bihar. A total budget of Rs 17,000 crore has been approved for constructing third and fourth railway lines on the 400 km long route from Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay (DDU) Junction to Jhajha via Patna. This major development falls under the Danapur division of the East Central Railway and aims to solve train delays in the region.
Which areas will get the new rail lines?
The project will be completed in different phases to cover the entire stretch effectively. The railway board has identified segments including DDU-Danapur, Danapur-Fatuha, Fatuha-Bakhtiyarpur, Bakhtiyarpur-Punarakh, Punarakh-Kiul, and Kiul-Jhajha for this expansion.
This route is historically significant as the original tracks were laid down between 1860 and 1870. Adding these new lines is necessary to support modern traffic needs. The initial focus will likely be on the Bakhtiyarpur-Fatuha and Bakhtiyarpur-Punarakh sections where planning is advanced.
When will the construction start and what is the cost?
According to railway officials, the actual construction work is scheduled to begin in March 2026. The authorities are currently focusing on land acquisition which is a crucial step before laying tracks. The government has allocated significant funds for acquiring land in different blocks.
For the 24 km Bakhtiyarpur-Fatuha stretch, Rs 931 crore has been estimated for land costs. The Punarakh-Kiul section will require about Rs 2,514 crore, while the Kiul-Jhajha section has an allocation of Rs 903 crore. The total project cost remains at Rs 17,000 crore.
Why is this project important for passengers?
This specific route is part of the busy Delhi-Howrah main line, which is one of the most congested railway corridors in India. Currently, more than 290 trains pass through this route every single day, leading to frequent delays and slower speeds.
By building the third and fourth lines, the railways can separate goods trains from passenger trains. This will help trains run on time and allow the introduction of more trains in the future. It will directly benefit passengers travelling to and from Patna and other parts of Bihar.
