Railways to Begin Work on Third and Fourth Lines for DDU-Patna-Jhajha Corridor
The Indian Railways is set to commence physical construction on the third and fourth railway lines along the heavily congested DDU-Patna-Jhajha corridor, following official approval from the Railway Board. This ambitious infrastructure project, spanning approximately 400 kilometers under the East Central Railway's Danapur division, aims to alleviate severe congestion on one of the region's most saturated rail routes.
Project Approval and Phased Execution
According to Saraswati Chandra, the chief public relations officer (CPRO) of the East Central Railway, the Railway Board has sanctioned the project to be executed in multiple phases. In the initial phase, three critical stretches have received the green signal:
- Fatuha-Bakhtiyarpur (24 kilometers)
- Bakhtiyarpur-Punarkh (30 kilometers)
- Punarakh-Kiul (50 kilometers)
Work on the remaining sections—DDU-Danapur, Danapur-Fatuha, and Kiul-Jhajha—will be undertaken in subsequent phases. The total estimated cost for this extensive project is around Rs17,000 crore.
Scope of Work and Historical Context
The scope of the project encompasses a comprehensive range of activities, including:
- Laying new railway tracks
- Installing advanced signaling systems
- Constructing small bridges
- Upgrading station facade buildings along the route
The DDU-Patna-Jhajha line, one of the oldest rail corridors in India dating back to the pre-Independence era, currently operates with only two lines: UP and Down. This limited infrastructure has struggled to cope with modern demands.
Addressing Capacity Challenges
Abhinav Siddarth, the senior divisional commercial manager (senior DCM) at Danapur, highlighted the pressing need for expansion. He noted that a sharp increase in passenger traffic and the introduction of numerous trains have stretched the route beyond its capacity. Towns such as Buxar, Ara, Bihta, Barh, Mokama, and Jhajha have experienced a significant surge in daily passenger movement to the state capital, Patna.
Currently, the DDU-Danapur-Patna-Jhajha mainline route is operating at an alarming 150% to 160% saturation level, underscoring the urgency for infrastructure upgrades.
Expected Benefits and Long-Term Impact
The expansion project is poised to deliver multiple benefits:
- Decongestion: Reducing overcrowding on the route
- Operational Efficiency: Improving train scheduling and management
- Passenger Convenience: Enhancing travel comfort and reliability
- Connectivity: Boosting regional connectivity
- Travel Time Reduction: Shortening journey durations
- Freight Support: Facilitating smoother freight traffic, including semi-high-speed trains
Siddarth emphasized that with population growth and railways remaining the preferred mode of transport, the addition of third and fourth lines is expected to usher in a new era of rail network development in the region. The railways are also in the process of acquiring necessary land along the route to support this expansion.
This project is anticipated to provide long-term benefits to thousands of commuters across Bihar, marking a significant step forward in modernizing India's rail infrastructure and meeting future transportation needs.
