Kiul-Jhajha third line will enhance capacity on heavily utilised Howrah-Delhi corridor: Vaishnaw

The Indian Railway Ministry has approved a Rs 962 crore project to construct a third line on the Kiul-Jhajha section, enhancing capacity and operational flexibility on the busy Howrah-Delhi corridor.

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on Tuesday said the Kiul-Jhajha third line project will significantly enhance capacity on the heavily utilised Howrah-Delhi corridor and help improve punctuality and operational flexibility of train services.

He added that the additional line infrastructure will facilitate seamless movement of passenger and freight trains while supporting industrial growth and trade connectivity across the region.

''At present, the existing double line section between Kiul and Jhajha is operating beyond optimal capacity utilisation, while traffic demand on the corridor is expected to increase further in the coming years, necessitating additional infrastructure augmentation,'' a press note from the Railway Ministry said.

The ministry has permitted construction of the third line after reviewing the detailed project report which estimated the cost at Rs 962 crore.

In December 2025, the East Central Railways zone said that land acquisition process had already started for the Kiul-Jhajha third line along with many other projects.

''The proposed 54 km third line project will significantly improve line capacity, reduce congestion and facilitate smoother movement of both passenger and freight trains. The project will strengthen connectivity between Patna and Kolkata, while also supporting freight movement linked to major industrial and logistics hubs across northern and eastern India,'' the press note said.

Officials said that the route also provides critical connectivity between Kolkata/Haldia ports and Raxaul/Nepal, and handles substantial freight traffic associated with key industrial establishments.

The section has been identified under the High Traffic Density Network Corridor of Indian Railways, they added.

No specific timeline has been mentioned for the construction and operationalisation of the project. ''It depends on several factors; prominent among them is the land acquisition,'' officials said.