Has the Cabinet Approved a Rs 3,169 Crore Project to Double the Bhagalpur–Dumka–Rampurhat Railway Line?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Doubling of Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat railway line approved.
- Investment of Rs 3,169 crore for the project.
- Connectivity spans 177 kilometers across three states.
- Significant economic and environmental benefits expected.
- Improved access for 441 villages and 28.72 lakh people.
New Delhi, Sep 10 (NationPress) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the green light to the doubling of the Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat railway line, covering a distance of 177 kilometers across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, with a total budget of Rs 3,169 crore.
This initiative aims to enhance line capacity, thereby improving mobility and ensuring greater efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. The proposed multi-tracking will streamline operations and alleviate congestion, paving the way for much-needed infrastructural improvements on some of the busiest routes in the Indian Railways network.
These projects align with the Prime Minister’s vision for a 'New India', fostering self-reliance through comprehensive regional development, ultimately boosting local employment prospects.
The initiatives are in accordance with the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which emphasizes the enhancement of multi-modal connectivity and logistics through integrated planning and stakeholder engagement. These developments will ensure seamless connectivity for the movement of people, goods, and services.
The project will expand the existing Indian Railways network by approximately 177 kilometers, benefiting five districts across the three states.
Additionally, the railway line will connect key sites like Deoghar (home to Baba Baidyanath Dham) and Tarapith (a renowned Shakti Peeth), attracting pilgrims and tourists from all corners of the country.
The multi-tracking efforts will enhance access to around 441 villages and serve a population of about 28.72 lakh, including three Aspirational Districts: Banka, Godda, and Dumka.
This important route is crucial for transporting essential commodities such as coal, cement, fertilizers, bricks, and stones. The capacity enhancements are projected to facilitate an increase in freight traffic by approximately 15 million tonnes annually.
As a sustainable and energy-efficient mode of transportation, the railways will contribute to achieving climate objectives, reduce logistics costs nationally, cut down on oil imports by around 5 crore litres, and lower CO2 emissions by 24 crore kg, which is equivalent to planting one crore trees.