The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the doubling of the Bhagalpur–Dumka–Rampurhat single railway line section spanning 177 km across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, at an estimated cost of Rs 31.69 billion.

The enhanced line will improve mobility, increase operational efficiency, and provide more reliable service for Indian Railways. The multi-tracking initiative is expected to ease congestion on one of the busiest sections, delivering crucial infrastructural development in the region. The project aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision of a New India, aiming to make local populations more “Atmanirbhar” through expanded employment and self-employment opportunities.

Planned under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, the project focuses on multi-modal connectivity and logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. It will provide seamless movement of people, goods, and services across five districts in the three states, adding 177 km to the Indian Railways network.

The upgraded line will also connect prominent destinations such as Deoghar (Baba Baidyanath Dham) and Tarapith (Shakti Peeth), attracting pilgrims and tourists nationwide. Multi-tracking will enhance access to approximately 441 villages, benefiting a population of around 28.72 million across three Aspirational Districts: Banka, Godda, and Dumka.

The route is vital for transporting commodities including coal, cement, fertilisers, bricks, and stones. Capacity augmentation is expected to add around 15 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic. Rail transport, being energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, will support India’s climate goals while reducing logistics costs, cutting oil imports by approximately 50 million litres, and lowering CO2 emissions by around 240 million kg – equivalent to planting one million trees.