Network Planning Group Reviews Rail Projects for GatiShakti Push

01 Dec 2025 CW Team

Barbenda–Damrughutu Doubling and Damrughutu–Bokaro 3rd and 4th Line (West Bengal & Jharkhand): The Ministry of Railways has proposed expanding the Barbenda–Damrughutu–Bokaro Steel City corridor with a new third and fourth line covering 51.761 km across West Bengal and Jharkhand. The plan includes new major and minor bridges, Road Under Bridges, extended level crossings, and upgrades across multiple station yards. As one of the region’s key freight corridors serving Bokaro Steel Plant, Tata Steel, Dalmia Cement, and HPCL, the enhancement will improve capacity, cut congestion, and support industrial growth.

Jamalpur–Munger–Sabdalpur Double Line and Ganga Bridge (Bihar): A double line, a new Ganga bridge, and the Jamalpur avoiding line have been proposed to improve connectivity in Munger and Begusarai. Spanning 15 km and scheduled for completion by July 2030, the corridor will strengthen links between North Bihar and the southeastern districts of Bihar and Jharkhand. With connectivity to industrial hubs including ITC, the Ordnance Factory, Jamalpur Railway Workshop, Bhagalpur Handloom Cluster, and major thermal power and refinery units, the project is expected to reduce logistics costs, enhance competitiveness, and create significant employment during construction and operations.

Fourth Line Between Santragachi–Panskura–Kharagpur (West Bengal): A fourth rail line has been proposed over a 110.919 km stretch to upgrade one of West Bengal’s busiest corridors, which currently handles heavy freight and passenger volumes, including around 115 daily coaching services. The project covers 30 station yard upgrades and the construction of major bridges, minor bridges, and Road Under Bridges. With freight demand expected to rise from 20.37 MTPA to 28.12 MTPA over the next decade, the expansion will ease congestion and improve reliability across this strategic route.

The review meeting was chaired by the Joint Secretary (Logistics), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

The 103rd meeting of the Network Planning Group (NPG) was convened recently to review major infrastructure proposals aimed at improving multimodal logistics under the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. The Group examined three railway projects for their alignment with integrated planning principles, last-mile connectivity, and a ‘Whole of Government’ approach. These initiatives are expected to strengthen freight movement, reduce travel time, and deliver wider socio-economic benefits. Barbenda–Damrughutu Doubling and Damrughutu–Bokaro 3rd and 4th Line (West Bengal & Jharkhand): The Ministry of Railways has proposed expanding the Barbenda–Damrughutu–Bokaro Steel City corridor with a new third and fourth line covering 51.761 km across West Bengal and Jharkhand. The plan includes new major and minor bridges, Road Under Bridges, extended level crossings, and upgrades across multiple station yards. As one of the region’s key freight corridors serving Bokaro Steel Plant, Tata Steel, Dalmia Cement, and HPCL, the enhancement will improve capacity, cut congestion, and support industrial growth. Jamalpur–Munger–Sabdalpur Double Line and Ganga Bridge (Bihar): A double line, a new Ganga bridge, and the Jamalpur avoiding line have been proposed to improve connectivity in Munger and Begusarai. Spanning 15 km and scheduled for completion by July 2030, the corridor will strengthen links between North Bihar and the southeastern districts of Bihar and Jharkhand. With connectivity to industrial hubs including ITC, the Ordnance Factory, Jamalpur Railway Workshop, Bhagalpur Handloom Cluster, and major thermal power and refinery units, the project is expected to reduce logistics costs, enhance competitiveness, and create significant employment during construction and operations. Fourth Line Between Santragachi–Panskura–Kharagpur (West Bengal): A fourth rail line has been proposed over a 110.919 km stretch to upgrade one of West Bengal’s busiest corridors, which currently handles heavy freight and passenger volumes, including around 115 daily coaching services. The project covers 30 station yard upgrades and the construction of major bridges, minor bridges, and Road Under Bridges. With freight demand expected to rise from 20.37 MTPA to 28.12 MTPA over the next decade, the expansion will ease congestion and improve reliability across this strategic route. The review meeting was chaired by the Joint Secretary (Logistics), Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).

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