ECR GM Dimpy Garg Inspects Pre-NI Works for New Rail Bridge Parallel to Rajendra Setu
East Central Railway (ECR) General Manager Dimpy Garg inspected the ongoing pre-Non-Interlocking (Pre-NI) works on the newly constructed rail bridge parallel to the existing Rajendra Setu at Mokama on Monday, September 28. The inspection was conducted to review preparations for commencing train operations over the new bridge.
During the inspection, Garg reviewed the ongoing cut-and-connection works between Garhara and Dinkar Gram Simaria. She also inspected the site of the relay hut removal and yard remodelling works near Level Crossing No. 2NB.
The General Manager reviewed the ongoing NI-related works with officials from various agencies as well as teams from the Danapur and Sonpur divisions. She assessed the progress of the works and issued necessary directions to the concerned officials and agencies to ensure coordinated execution of the remaining activities.
Sonpur Divisional Railway Manager Amit Saran and Danapur Divisional Railway Manager Vinod Kumar were present during the inspection, along with senior officials from ECR headquarters, the divisions and IRCON.
The newly constructed rail bridge has been built parallel to the existing Rajendra Setu on the Patna side, approximately 50 metres from the present bridge. The new bridge carries a double railway line and forms part of a major rail infrastructure project designed to strengthen connectivity across the Ganga and improve train operations in the region.
The overall project extends for approximately 15.5 kilometres. It includes a 1.9-km main bridge over the Ganga River, comprising 17 steel spans. The project also includes around 3.6 km of rail viaducts and major bridges.
In addition to the main Ganga bridge, the project comprises eight minor bridges, two Road Over Bridges (ROBs) and three Rail Over Rail (ROR) structures. The construction plan has been designed to minimise changes to the approaches of the existing Rajendra Setu.
The new rail bridge has also been integrated with the existing railway network in a manner that maintains connectivity with the stations at both ends of the existing bridge. At the northern end, the railway network will remain connected with Hathidah, Tal and Rampur Dumra stations, while on the southern side, connectivity will continue with Rajendra Pul and Barauni stations.
The commissioning of the new bridge is expected to provide additional railway capacity across the Ganga and strengthen connectivity between North Bihar, South Bihar and the northeastern region. Once train operations begin over the new bridge, both passenger and freight train movement in the region is expected to improve.
The additional rail infrastructure is also expected to support more efficient freight movement. Improved rail connectivity can help reduce the time and transportation costs involved in moving goods, benefiting trade and industry as well as the movement of essential commodities.
The ongoing pre-NI and NI works are therefore an important step towards operationalising the newly constructed bridge and integrating it with the existing railway network. The inspection by the ECR General Manager focused on the progress of these preparatory works and coordination among the various teams involved in the commissioning process.
The project is expected to play an important role in strengthening rail infrastructure across the Ganga and improving the movement of trains between key railway networks in Bihar and towards the northeastern region.
