Indian Railways has approved the 54 Km Kiul-Jhajha third line project at a cost of ₹962 crore to increase capacity on the high-density Howrah-Delhi corridor.
In a statement on Tuesday, 19 May, the Ministry of Railways said the project is aimed at enhancing capacity, improving operational efficiency and ensuring smoother rail transportation on one of the country’s busiest rail corridors.
The Kiul-Jhajha section forms part of Indian Railways’ High Traffic Density Network and is expected to strengthen both passenger and freight movement across Eastern and Northern India.
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project would significantly enhance capacity on the heavily utilised Howrah-Delhi corridor and help improve punctuality and operational flexibility of train services.
He said the additional line infrastructure would facilitate seamless movement of passenger and freight trains while supporting industrial growth and trade connectivity across the region.
According to the ministry, the existing double-line section between Kiul and Jhajha is operating beyond optimal capacity utilisation.
Traffic demand on the corridor is expected to increase further in the coming years, making additional infrastructure augmentation necessary.
The proposed third line is expected to improve line capacity, reduce congestion and enable smoother movement of both passenger and freight trains.
The project will also strengthen connectivity between Patna and Kolkata, while supporting freight movement linked to major industrial and logistics hubs across Northern and Eastern India.
The ministry said the route provides critical connectivity between Kolkata and Haldia ports and Raxaul and Nepal.
It also handles substantial freight traffic linked to key industrial establishments including Barh STPP, Jawahar STPP and Birganj ICD.
With rising demand on this strategic corridor, the project is expected to provide long-term infrastructure support for passenger and freight operations.
The ministry said the enhanced connectivity and additional carrying capacity would contribute to more efficient logistics movement, reduced congestion and improved rail transport reliability between key economic centres of Eastern and Northern India.
Read also : Senior railway panel to probe fire in Thiruvananthapuram-Hazrat Nizamuddin Rajdhani Express
