New Delhi: In a significant move to strengthen railway infrastructure and improve operational efficiency, the Ministry of Railways has approved projects worth ₹1,131 crore across Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand. The initiatives are aimed at reducing congestion, increasing line capacity, modernising signalling systems and upgrading communication networks to facilitate smoother passenger and freight train operations.
A major component of the package is the ₹499 crore Mansi-Saharsa railway line doubling project in Bihar, which falls under the East Central Railway. The Mansi-Saharsa section, currently operating as a single-line corridor on the Mansi-Saraigarh route, handles heavy passenger and freight traffic, with nearly 48 passenger trains running daily alongside freight services transporting commodities such as wheat, maize, cement, fertilisers, salt, sand, stone and sugar.
According to Indian Railways, the route is already operating at 108.11 per cent line capacity utilisation, a figure projected to rise to 119.34 per cent by 2028-29. The doubling project is expected to ease congestion, improve train punctuality and enable the transportation of an additional 1.764 million tonnes of freight annually.
The ministry has also sanctioned a ₹432 crore Electronic Interlocking (EI) project for the Asansol Division of Eastern Railway. The project will replace 28 ageing relay-based interlocking installations, including one Intermediate Block Signalling location, with modern computer-based Electronic Interlocking systems across 27 stations and cabins. The upgrade is expected to enhance operational reliability, simplify maintenance, improve fault detection and strengthen railway safety on high-density and heavily utilised routes.
In addition, a ₹200 crore Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) project has been approved for the South Eastern Railway. The initiative will lay a 48-fibre OFC network over 1,696.2 route kilometres across the Adra, Chakradharpur, Kharagpur and Ranchi divisions. The enhanced communication infrastructure will support safer and more efficient train operations while strengthening the railway’s digital network.
The Ministry of Railways said these infrastructure projects will improve passenger services, increase freight capacity and support regional economic growth by creating a more modern, efficient and reliable railway network across eastern India.
