Indian Railways has approved the ₹962-crore Kiul-Jhajha 3rd Line Project in Bihar, a major infrastructure initiative aimed at increasing capacity and improving operational efficiency on the high-density Howrah–Delhi rail corridor.
The 54-km project forms part of Indian Railways’ High Traffic Density Network and is expected to strengthen both passenger and freight movement across Eastern and Northern India. The additional third line will help decongest one of the country’s busiest rail routes and support growing transportation demand in the region.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the project would significantly enhance capacity on the heavily utilised corridor and improve punctuality and operational flexibility of train services.
“The additional line infrastructure will facilitate seamless movement of passenger and freight trains while supporting industrial growth and trade connectivity across the region,” Vaishnaw said.
The Ministry of Railways said the existing double-line section between Kiul and Jhajha is currently operating beyond optimal capacity utilisation, while traffic demand is expected to rise further in the coming years. The third-line project is expected to improve line capacity, reduce congestion and ensure smoother train movement.
The project will also strengthen rail connectivity between Patna and Kolkata and improve freight transportation linked to key industrial and logistics hubs across Northern and Eastern India.
The corridor provides crucial connectivity between Kolkata and Haldia ports and Raxaul on the India-Nepal border, while handling substantial freight traffic associated with major industrial establishments such as Barh Super Thermal Power Project, Jawahar Super Thermal Power Project and Birganj Inland Container Depot.
The Ministry said the enhanced infrastructure would support long-term passenger and freight operations by improving logistics efficiency, reducing congestion and ensuring more reliable transportation between key economic centres.
The approval of the Kiul–Jhajha 3rd Line Project is part of Indian Railways’ broader push to modernise rail infrastructure, enhance network capacity and strengthen connectivity across major transport corridors in the country.
