The Ministry of Railways has shared a major update on the Muzaffarpur-Sagauli rail line doubling project. According to the latest data, 93.71 km of the total 100.6 km project has been finished as of February 19, 2026. This development is a huge relief for North Bihar, as this route is a critical link connecting Muzaffarpur to the Nepal border via East and West Champaran. The project is being executed by the Samastipur Division of East Central Railway (ECR) to handle the heavy traffic load in this region.
What is the latest progress on the Bettiah-Kumarbagh section?
On February 17, 2026, the railway department achieved a significant milestone by conducting a successful speed trial on the newly doubled 9 km section between Bettiah and Kumarbagh. During this inspection, a train reached a top speed of 120 kmph. The Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety (CCRS) Guru Prakash and DRM Jyoti Prakash Mishra were present to monitor the technical alignment and safety standards. After this successful trial, official train operations on this specific segment are expected to start within a few days.
How will this doubling project benefit the common man?
This project is specifically designed to reduce the congestion on a route where track utilization had reached 213 percent. By doubling the tracks, the railways can manage the 38 plus mail and express trains that run daily without frequent stoppages for crossings. The project has also focused on electrification to make the journey more environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
- Decongestion: Wait times for trains will decrease significantly once the full 100.6 km stretch is operational.
- International Trade: Better connectivity to the Nepal border will help local businesses and trade.
- Employment: The construction phase has generated approximately 24.14 lakh mandays of work for the local population.
- Revised Budget: The total project cost is estimated at 1,586.22 crore, ensuring high-quality infrastructure and modern signaling.
What were the recent traffic changes due to construction?
To finalize the doubling work, the railways carried out non-interlocking (NI) tasks between February 16 and 18, 2026. During this period, several important trains, including the Gorakhpur-Patliputra Vande Bharat, were diverted or delayed. This short-term inconvenience was necessary to integrate the new tracks with the existing system. With the completion of 93 percent of the work, the department is now focusing on the final few kilometers to complete the entire corridor.
