The Neora Jatdumri railway line in Bihar has received approval from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), paving the way for train operations on the 20-km section and an alternative route for freight traffic bypassing Patna.
The approval followed a safety inspection and a successful speed trial at 120 kmph on October 8. The section forms part of the 42-km Neora-Daniyawan new railway line project under the Danapur Division of East Central Railway (ECR).
Once the entire project becomes operational, freight trains will be able to travel via Neora, Daniyawan, Biharsharif, Barbigha, Sheikhpura and Kiul, avoiding the congested rail corridor through Patna.
According to Saraswati Chandra, Chief Public Relations Officer of ECR, the new route will ease pressure on the existing Danapur-Patna-Kiul-Jhajha section and create capacity for additional passenger trains.
Neora Jatdumri Railway Line to Ease Congestion
The Danapur-Patna-Kiul-Jhajha route is a heavily congested railway corridor, according to Indian Railways. The 187-km stretch forms part of the Delhi-Howrah main line, which carries substantial passenger and freight traffic.
The alternative route is expected to improve operational flexibility by allowing freight trains to bypass Patna. It could also free up capacity on the existing corridor for additional passenger services.
However, the full benefits will depend on the commissioning and operational readiness of the complete Neora-Daniyawan railway line.
Neora-Daniyawan Railway Project Completed in Two Phases
The 42-km Neora-Daniyawan railway project has been developed in two phases.
The first phase, covering the 22.74-km Jatdumri-Daniyawan section, has already been completed, and train operations are underway. The remaining 20-km Neora-Jatdumri section has now received CRS clearance following inspection and the speed trial.
The newly developed section includes one station, Gonpura, and three halts: Adhpa, Chamachak and Wajidpur.
Neora station already serves the Patna-Ara railway section, while Jatdumri station lies on the Patna-Gaya railway section. The new line connects these railway corridors through an alternative route.
Bridges and Railway Structures Along the New Line
The Neora-Jatdumri section includes several structures designed to support railway operations and road connectivity.
According to ECR, the infrastructure comprises three major bridges, 16 minor bridges, five Limited Height Subways (LHS), two Road Over Bridges (ROBs), one Rail Over Rail (ROR) structure and 12 Road Under Bridges (RUBs).
The CRS approval marks a key step towards operationalising the remaining section of the project. Once the full route is operational, Indian Railways expects it to provide an alternative path for freight movement while easing congestion on the existing rail network through Patna.
