TV
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved a major rail infrastructure project — doubling the Bhagalpur–Dumka–Rampurhat single railway line. This ambitious 177 km project, spread across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, comes with an investment of Rs 3,169 crore.
Faster Trains, Smoother Travel
The doubling of this crucial line will decongest routes, improve mobility, and boost efficiency for Indian Railways. For passengers, this means more reliable services and smoother travel experiences.
Connecting People and Places
The project spans five districts across three states, touching nearly 441 villages and benefiting a population of about 28.72 lakh people, including residents of three Aspirational Districts — Banka, Godda, and Dumka. Importantly, the line will also strengthen connectivity to revered pilgrimage sites like:
Deoghar (Baba Baidyanath Dham)
Tarapith (Shakti Peeth)
This is expected to give a major push to religious tourism in the region.
Driving Economic Growth
The enhanced line capacity is not just about passenger trains — it’s vital for freight movement. Commodities like coal, cement, fertilizers, bricks, and stones will move faster and more efficiently. With the capacity to handle an additional 15 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic, the project is a game-changer for regional trade and industry.
Green and Cost-Effective
By shifting more freight to rail, the project contributes to India’s climate goals. It is expected to:
Save nearly 5 crore litres of oil imports
Cut 24 crore kg of CO₂ emissions — equivalent to planting 1 crore trees
Rail remains the most energy-efficient and eco-friendly transport mode, making this project a win-win for both the economy and the environment.
Aligned with PM Gati Shakti Vision
The initiative is a part of the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan, focusing on multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency. Through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations, the government is ensuring that projects like this accelerate India’s journey towards becoming Atmanirbhar Bharat.
