Indian railways approves Rs962 crore Kiul-Jhajha 3rd line project

Indian Railways has approved the Rs962-crore Kiul-Jhajha Third Line Project in Bihar, a key infrastructure initiative aimed at expanding rail capacity and improving operational efficiency on the busy Howrah–Delhi corridor.The 54-km project forms part of Indian Railways’ High Traffic Density Network and is expected to enhance both passenger and freight movement across Eastern and Northern India. The additional rail line is intended to ease congestion on one of the country’s most heavily utilised routes and cater to rising transportation demand.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project would substantially improve line capacity on the high-density corridor while enhancing punctuality and operational flexibility of train services.“The additional line infrastructure will facilitate seamless movement of passenger and freight trains while supporting industrial growth and trade connectivity across the region,” Vaishnaw said.According to the Ministry of Railways, the existing double-line section between Kiul and Jhajha is currently operating near saturation levels, with traffic expected to increase further in the coming years. The third-line expansion is expected to improve rail flow, reduce bottlenecks and ensure smoother train operations.
The ministry said the project would also strengthen rail connectivity between Patna and Kolkata while improving freight transportation linked to important industrial and logistics centres in Eastern and Northern India.
The corridor serves as a crucial rail link connecting Kolkata and Haldia ports with Raxaul on the India-Nepal border and handles substantial freight traffic associated with major industrial units, including the Barh Super Thermal Power Project, Jawahar Super Thermal Power Project and the Birganj Inland Container Depot.The Ministry stated that the upgraded infrastructure would improve logistics efficiency, reduce rail congestion and support reliable long-term passenger and freight operations between major economic centres.The approval of the Kiul-Jhajha Third Line Project is part of Indian Railways’ broader infrastructure modernisation strategy focused on enhancing network capacity and strengthening connectivity across key transport corridors nationwide.