Indian Railways Approves ₹962 Crore Kiul–Jhajha 3rd Line Project

Indian Railways has approved the 54-km Kiul–Jhajha 3rd Line Project at an estimated cost of ₹962 crore, aiming to significantly enhance capacity and operational efficiency on the busy Howrah–Delhi rail corridor. The project is part of Indian Railways’ High Traffic Density Network and is expected to improve both passenger and freight movement across Eastern and Northern India.

Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the additional third line between Kiul and Jhajha will strengthen rail infrastructure on one of the country’s most heavily utilised routes. He stated that the project will help improve punctuality, increase operational flexibility and ensure smoother movement of trains on the Howrah–Delhi main line.

According to railway officials, the existing double-line section between Kiul and Jhajha is currently operating beyond its optimal capacity due to rising passenger and freight traffic. With demand on the corridor expected to grow further in the coming years, the need for additional line capacity had become critical. The new 54-km third line is expected to ease congestion, reduce delays and support faster movement of both passenger and goods trains.

The Kiul–Jhajha section plays a crucial role in connecting major cities and industrial regions across Eastern and Northern India. The corridor is an important link between Patna and Kolkata and also serves as a key freight route connecting Kolkata and Haldia ports with Raxaul and Nepal. Railway authorities said the additional line will improve logistics efficiency and facilitate seamless transportation of goods across the region.

The route also handles significant freight traffic linked to major industrial establishments and power projects, including Barh Super Thermal Power Project (STPP), Jawahar STPP and the Birganj Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Nepal. Officials said the project will help accommodate increasing freight volumes while improving the reliability of train operations on the corridor.

Indian Railways has identified the Kiul–Jhajha section as part of its High Traffic Density Network, where infrastructure expansion is being prioritised to meet growing transportation demand. The third line project is expected to provide long-term operational support by increasing carrying capacity and improving network resilience.

Railway officials noted that the project will not only strengthen passenger connectivity but also contribute to regional economic growth. Improved freight movement is expected to benefit industries, logistics operators and trade networks across Bihar, West Bengal and neighbouring regions. Enhanced rail capacity on the corridor is also likely to support smoother transportation of coal, industrial raw materials, agricultural products and container traffic.

The approval of the project comes as Indian Railways continues to focus on large-scale infrastructure modernisation and network expansion to improve efficiency and reliability across the national rail network. In recent years, several capacity enhancement projects, including additional lines, station redevelopment and freight corridor expansion, have been undertaken to address rising traffic demand.

Officials believe the Kiul–Jhajha 3rd Line Project will play a vital role in reducing bottlenecks on the Howrah–Delhi corridor, one of the busiest railway routes in the country. Once completed, the project is expected to provide better operational flexibility, faster train movement and improved overall service reliability for millions of passengers and freight users.

With increasing passenger demand and rapid industrial growth in Eastern India, the additional rail infrastructure is being seen as a strategic investment that will strengthen connectivity between key economic centres and improve the overall efficiency of India’s rail transport network.