Indian Railways Approves Kiul-Jhajha 3rd Line Project to Boost Capacity on Howrah-Delhi Corridor

Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Kiul-Jhajha 3rd Line Project would substantially strengthen the carrying capacity of the Howrah-Delhi corridor, which currently handles extremely heavy rail traffic.

Indian Railways has approved the Kiul-Jhajha 3rd Line Project in Bihar at an estimated cost of ₹962 crore, marking another major step towards strengthening rail infrastructure and improving capacity on the heavily congested Howrah-Delhi route.

The 54-kilometre project forms part of the High Traffic Density Network (HTDN) of Indian Railways and is expected to significantly enhance passenger and freight movement across Eastern and Northern India.

The project aims to improve operational efficiency, reduce congestion, increase punctuality, and support the growing transportation demands on one of the country's busiest railway corridors.

Ashwini Vaishnaw Says Project Will Enhance Rail Capacity

Union Minister for Railways Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw said the Kiul-Jhajha 3rd Line Project would substantially strengthen the carrying capacity of the Howrah-Delhi corridor, which currently handles extremely heavy rail traffic.

According to the Minister, the additional line infrastructure will improve train operations, increase operational flexibility, and ensure smoother movement of both passenger and freight trains.

"The Kiul-Jhajha 3rd Line Project will significantly enhance capacity on the heavily utilised Howrah-Delhi corridor and help improve punctuality and operational flexibility of train services," Vaishnaw said.

He added that the project would also support industrial growth and strengthen trade connectivity across the region.

Existing Double Line Operating Beyond Capacity

Railway officials stated that the existing double-line section between Kiul and Jhajha is currently operating beyond optimal capacity utilisation levels.

With rail traffic on the corridor expected to continue increasing in the coming years, infrastructure augmentation has become necessary to prevent operational bottlenecks and maintain efficient train movement.

The proposed third-line project is expected to:

• Increase line capacity;

• Reduce congestion;

• Improve punctuality of train services;

• Facilitate smoother movement of passenger trains;

• Enhance freight transportation efficiency, and

• Strengthen overall operational reliability.

The additional line will also help Indian Railways manage future traffic growth more effectively while reducing delays caused by network congestion.

Strategic Importance of the Howrah-Delhi Corridor

The Kiul-Jhajha section forms a critical part of the Howrah-Delhi main rail route, one of the busiest and most important railway corridors in India.

The corridor serves as a major transportation link connecting Eastern India with Northern India and carries large volumes of:

• Passenger traffic;

• Industrial freight;

• Coal and power-related cargo;

• Agricultural commodities, and

• Port-linked freight movement.

Officials said the project would further strengthen connectivity between major economic centres such as Patna and Kolkata while improving freight operations across the broader region.

Key Link for Port and International Freight Connectivity

The route also plays a strategically important role in connecting Kolkata and Haldia ports with Raxaul and Nepal.

Large volumes of freight associated with international trade and industrial logistics pass through this section.

The corridor handles substantial cargo movement linked to major industrial and infrastructure establishments, including:

• Barh Super Thermal Power Project (STPP);

• Jawahar STPP, and

• Birganj Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Nepal.

Railway authorities said improving capacity on the route would strengthen logistics efficiency and support cross-border trade connectivity.

Supporting Industrial Growth and Economic Activity

The enhanced rail infrastructure is expected to provide long-term support for industrial growth and economic development across Bihar and neighbouring regions.

Improved freight movement will help industries by:

• Reducing transportation delays;

• Improving supply chain efficiency;

• Lowering congestion-related operational challenges, and

• Enhancing connectivity with ports and industrial hubs.

Industry experts say the project will be particularly beneficial for sectors dependent on bulk freight movement, including power generation, manufacturing, logistics, and export-oriented industries.

Boost for Passenger Rail Operations

Apart from freight movement, the project is expected to improve passenger rail services by enabling smoother train operations and reducing delays on one of India's busiest routes.

The additional infrastructure will provide greater operational flexibility for managing both long-distance and regional passenger services.

Passengers travelling between major cities across Eastern and Northern India are expected to benefit from:

• Better punctuality;

• Reduced waiting times;

• Improved scheduling efficiency, and

• Enhanced reliability of services.

Part of Indian Railways' Capacity Expansion Strategy

The Kiul-Jhajha 3rd Line Project forms part of Indian Railways' broader strategy to modernise infrastructure and expand carrying capacity across high-density routes.

Indian Railways has accelerated investments in:

• Track doubling and tripling projects;

• Dedicated freight corridors;

• Electrification;

• Signalling upgrades;

• Station redevelopment, and

• Safety enhancement measures.

The government says these projects are intended to improve logistics competitiveness, support economic growth, and create a faster, safer, and more efficient rail transportation network.

Long-Term Infrastructure Benefits Expected

With growing passenger demand and increasing freight traffic on the Howrah-Delhi corridor, the project is expected to provide critical long-term infrastructure support for rail operations.

Officials believe the additional carrying capacity will help improve transportation reliability, strengthen regional connectivity, and support future economic expansion across Eastern and Northern India.

The project also reinforces Indian Railways' focus on developing high-capacity corridors capable of supporting India's rapidly growing transportation and logistics requirements.