Bihar CM praises Modi govt for sanctioning Kiul-Jhajha railway line
Patna, May 26
Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Tuesday announced that the Ministry of Railways has approved the construction of a third railway line between Kiul and Jhajha in Bihar at an estimated cost of Rs 961.71 crore.
Sharing the information through a post on X, Samrat Choudhary said the project would significantly strengthen Bihar's railway infrastructure, improve transportation, and accelerate industrial and economic growth in the state.
He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw for approving the project.
According to the Chief Minister, the railway expansion project reflects the development agenda being pursued under the NDA's "double-engine government" model in Bihar.
Earlier, Ashwini Vaishnaw had formally informed the Bihar government about the approval through an official communication.
As per a notification issued from the office of Deepak Singh, director of the Gati Shakti of the Railway Board, the President has sanctioned the 53.92-kilometre-long Kiul-Jhajha third-line project at a total estimated cost of Rs 961.71 crore.
Railway officials stated that around Rs 663.04 crore has been earmarked for civil works, Rs 76.04 crore for electrification, and Rs 222.63 crore for signalling and telecommunication (S&T) infrastructure.
The project will be funded under the "Capital (GBS)" head through the umbrella scheme for doubling, tripling, quadrupling, flyover, and bypass works aimed at enhancing railway network capacity during 2025-26.
The proposal has also received concurrence from the Finance Directorate.
The Kiul-Jhajha section lies on the crucial main rail corridor connecting Patna with Kolkata and is considered one of the busiest railway routes in the country.
Railway officials believe the addition of a third line will help ease congestion, improve train movement efficiency, and strengthen freight and passenger connectivity in eastern India.
The project is also expected to support trade, logistics, and industrial expansion in Bihar by improving transportation infrastructure across the region.
The Bihar government has been actively focusing on attracting industrial investment into the state.
— IANS
Reader Comments
A third line is long overdue. The single line between Kiul and Jhajha is a nightmare for commuters—trains are always delayed due to congestion. Hope the project gets completed on time without cost overruns!
Modi ji and Nitish ji are working together to transform Bihar. This railway line will boost trade and logistics in the region. Good to see the focus on infrastructure development in our state. 🇮🇳
While I appreciate the investment, let's not forget that many parts of Bihar still lack basic railway connectivity. The third line is useful, but what about the backward districts in the north and east? There needs to be balanced development.
Impressive to see the Indian government investing in rail infrastructure. A third line on a busy corridor like this will definitely help reduce delays and improve logistics. Hope this sets a precedent for other states too.
Politics aside, this is a necessary project. The Kiul-Jhajha route is a key link between Patna and Kolkata for both passengers and freight. The 53 km third line will ease congestion significantly. But will the government ensure local employment during construction? That's the real test.
Rs 961 crore for a 53 km line? That's around Rs 18 crore per km.
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