Patna: Bihar is set to get a four-line railway bridge over the Sone River at Koilwar, near Ara, as part of a major railway infrastructure expansion project estimated to cost Rs 3,500 crore. The proposed bridge is designed to accommodate six trains simultaneously, with the tender process expected to begin after the project receives formal financial sanction.
The Railway Board has already approved the project, which forms part of a broader 400-km railway expansion plan between Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDU) and Jhajha. The initiative is aimed at strengthening rail connectivity and improving capacity on heavily congested sections of Bihar’s railway network.
According to available information, construction could begin around the start of the new year, subject to the completion of the funding and tendering process.
Four-Line Bridge To Be Part Of DDU-Danapur Expansion
The first phase of the railway expansion plan will cover approximately 203 km between DDU and Danapur. This section will include the construction of the four-line rail bridge over the Sone River at Koilwar.
The project also envisages the construction of third and fourth railway lines across the Danapur-Fatuha, Fatuha-Bakhtiyarpur, Bakhtiyarpur-Punarakh and Punarakh-Kiul sections.
The agency selected to execute the railway line construction will also be responsible for building the Sone River bridge. The tender process will begin once the funds are formally sanctioned and an executing agency is selected.
Railway Expansion To Be Completed In Phases
The 400-km expansion project between DDU and Jhajha is scheduled to be implemented in six phases, with different completion targets for the sections.
According to reports, the Punarakh-Barh-Bakhtiyarpur section is targeted for completion by July 2029. The Bakhtiyarpur-Fatuha section is expected to be completed by 2030.
The DDU-Danapur, Punarakh-Kiul and Kiul-Jhajha sections are targeted for completion by 2031.
The phased development is expected to increase railway capacity and facilitate smoother movement of passenger and freight trains across the region.
Six Trains To Move Simultaneously
The proposed bridge is expected to address congestion on the existing railway infrastructure over the Son River.
Currently, train movement on the up and down lines is restricted by the available capacity. High traffic pressure often leads to trains being halted near Bihta and Danapur, affecting travel schedules.
With the completion of the project, the railway corridor is expected to have six lines in total, allowing three trains to move simultaneously in each direction.
The expanded infrastructure is also expected to support train speeds of up to 180 kmph, subject to operational and safety requirements.
The project is expected to improve connectivity, reduce congestion and facilitate faster train movement across Bihar, particularly on the busy DDU-Danapur corridor.
