The Ministry of Railways has announced a major plan to tackle the rising traffic problems and congestion at railway crossings across Bihar. According to official data, a total of 219 Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and Road Under Bridges (RUBs) will be constructed in the state. For the financial year 2025-26, the ministry has already granted approval for 78 of these bridges. Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has focused on increasing the infrastructure budget for the state, which has now reached an all-time high of ₹10,066 crore for the upcoming year.
Major Railway Infrastructure Projects and Budget in Bihar
- The Central Government will fund the entire cost of 217 ROBs and RUBs approved in December 2025.
- A major bridge in the Katihar Division has been approved with an estimated budget of ₹177 crore.
- The Dighwara-Ambika Bhawani Halt section will see a new bridge costing ₹124.78 crore.
- A proposal for a massive four-lane rail bridge in Koilwar is under consideration, costing between ₹3500 to ₹4000 crore.
- Indian Railways also approved a rail bypass at Bhagalpur on March 24, 2026, with a budget of ₹647.58 crore.
Impact on Local Commuters and Economic Growth
These infrastructure projects will significantly reduce travel time for students, traders, and daily commuters who often get stuck at level crossings. By replacing crossings with bridges, the safety of both road and rail traffic will improve. The Railway Ministry sanctions these projects based on traffic projections and suggestions from the state government to ensure maximum public benefit. As of July 2025, various projects worth ₹6,014 crore were already in different stages of planning. The new approvals will further boost connectivity between major towns and rural areas, supporting local trade and economic activities in the region.
