Indian Railways has approved multitracking of the 29 km Danapur to Fatuha section of East Central Railway at a cost of Rs 9.76 billion (Rs 9.76 bn), marking a major boost to rail capacity in Bihar. The sanctioned project aims to decongest one of the busiest stretches on the Patna corridor and create room for a substantial increase in passenger and freight services. The work covers expansion across key urban nodes and is expected to strengthen network resilience and operational flexibility.

The sanctioned work comprises three components. Third and fourth lines will be laid between Danapur and Patna, a third line will be provided between Rajendra Nagar and Patna Saheb, and third and fourth lines will be installed between Patna Saheb and Fatuha. The additional tracks are intended to ease congestion, minimise delays and improve punctuality across the Patna region.

In its first year of operation the scheme will allow 22 additional passenger trains and 18 additional freight trains every day and enable the handling of an additional 5.2 million tonnes per annum (5.2 mn t). The project forms part of the quadrupling initiative on the Delhi, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, Patna, Kiul, Bhagalpur, Khanna and Howrah route and is identified under the Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor of Indian Railways. The strengthened section is also cited as vital for the upcoming 2,120 megawatt (MW) thermal power plant at Chausa in Buxar district, which will depend on rail movement of bulk inputs.

The approval was described as reaffirming Indian Railways' commitment to expanding capacity on high density routes, strengthening logistics for energy and industry and supporting the socio-economic development of Bihar. The railways indicated that consequential train accidents have decreased by 88 per cent over the past 12 years, falling to 16 in 2025-2026 from 135 in 2014-15, with only two consequential accidents recorded so far in 2026-27 till June. The project is expected to provide long-term relief for congestion and bolster freight corridors serving the eastern region.