Indian Railways has approved the doubling of the 44.40-km Mansi-Saharsa rail section in Bihar at an estimated cost of ₹499 crore, aiming to enhance line capacity, improve operational efficiency and meet the growing demand for passenger and freight services on the route.
The project will be undertaken on the Mansi-Saharsa section of the East Central Railway, which forms part of the Mansi-Saraigarh corridor. According to the Ministry of Railways, the section currently operates as a single-line route and carries heavy passenger as well as freight traffic.
The corridor handles 24 pairs of passenger trains in each direction while also facilitating the movement of key commodities such as wheat, maize, ballast, boiled rice, cement, fertilisers, rice, salt, sand, stone and sugar.
The ministry said the existing line has already reached 108.11 per cent capacity utilisation, which is projected to rise to 119.34 per cent by 2028-29, highlighting the need for additional rail infrastructure to ease congestion and improve operational flexibility.
The doubling project is expected to create additional line capacity, enabling smoother movement of passenger and freight trains, reducing operational bottlenecks and improving punctuality and service reliability.
Once completed, the upgraded section is expected to facilitate the movement of an additional 1.764 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight, strengthening logistics for agriculture, construction and other sectors of the regional economy.
The Ministry of Railways said the project is part of Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to expand capacity on high-density routes, improve connectivity and support faster, safer and more efficient transportation for both passengers and freight across the country.
