Indian Railways has approved the construction of a 14.52-km third railway line between Nimpura West Outer Cabin and Midnapur on the South Eastern Railway at an estimated cost of Rs 4,400 million (mn). The project forms part of efforts to augment capacity on high-density routes to facilitate faster movement of passenger and freight trains and to meet growing transportation requirements of industry and essential commodities. The sanctioned works will involve laying a third line along the 14.52-km stretch to relieve congestion and improve operational flexibility.

The section falls within the High Utilisation Network (HUN-two) where the Nimpura West Outer Cabin–Gokulpur stretch currently operates as a single line while doubling work is under way. The additional third line is expected to complement the ongoing doubling and to create headroom for increased train movements. Enhanced track infrastructure will also enable more efficient scheduling and reduce delays caused by capacity constraints.

The corridor handles substantial volumes of both passenger and freight traffic and is a key route for commodities such as coal, iron ore, manganese, containers, clinker, pellet iron, iron and steel, wheat, stone, sleepers, slag, salt, rice, petroleum products, limestone, gypsum, fertilisers, edible oil, chemical salt, charcoal, cement, ballast and ash. The route currently records an annual freight loading of nearly 23.80 million (mn) tonnes (t) per annum and line capacity utilisation has reached 115.71 per cent, indicating operation beyond designed limits. These pressures have contributed to congestion and operational constraints along the corridor.

Upon completion the new third line is projected to support an additional freight movement of 3.52 million (mn) tonnes (t) per annum and to strengthen transportation of key industrial and essential commodities across the region. The Ministry has indicated that the enhanced infrastructure will improve operational efficiency, reduce congestion, increase network reliability and strengthen connectivity for industries and businesses that depend on the route. The approval forms part of a broader national drive to expand capacity on high-density rail routes and to support economic growth through faster, more efficient and future-ready railway infrastructure.