Patna: Railways have always played a vital role in the growth and development of Bihar. To strengthen this further, Indian Railways had launched three important projects in the state, focusing on improving train operations, passenger convenience, and goods transportation.

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated these major projects, which are expected to significantly enhance Bihar’s railway infrastructure and connectivity.

The biggest of these projects is the third railway line between Son Nagar in Bihar and Mohammad Ganj in Jharkhand. Built at an estimated cost of Rs 1,338 crore, this 65-kilometre railway stretch will provide a major boost to freight movement, especially for transporting minerals like coal. This line will connect Aurangabad district in Bihar to Palamu district in Jharkhand, and ensure smoother and faster movement of freight trains.

This new route will help decongest the Grand Cord railway line, which is one of the busiest routes for both passenger and goods trains. The project is particularly important for the power plants located in Ankorha and Nabi Nagar, which depend heavily on coal supplies from Jharkhand. With the opening of this third line, the supply chain to these power plants is expected to become more reliable and efficient.

Additionally, improved connectivity to Bagaha Bishunpur station yard will further enhance the logistics of mineral transport, making Bihar a better hub for goods movement.

The second project is the installation of an automatic signaling system between Sasaram and Anugrah Narayan Road, which falls under the Sasaram–Aurangabad stretch. This 25-kilometre line upgrade has been completed at a cost of Rs 43 crore.

This development will allow trains to run at higher speeds – up to 160 km/h – on New Delhi–Howrah railway corridor, which is a key route for long-distance travel. The introduction of automatic signaling not only increases speed but also improves train safety, reduces delays, and enhances overall efficiency.

This is a major step toward modernization of railway systems in Bihar and will help in smoother coordination of both passenger and freight trains.

To reduce the pressure on Patna Junction and manage the increasing number of passengers, Indian Railways has started the construction of five new terminal platforms at Harding Park in Patna. These platforms, measuring a total of 2.273 kilometres in length, are being developed at a cost of Rs 95 crore.

Once completed, these new platforms will help with better crowd management, smoother boarding and deboarding, and improved scheduling of trains in and out of Patna. It will also allow for better handling of passenger loads, especially during peak travel seasons and festivals.