Patna: East Central Railway (ECR) has reported a series of infrastructure milestones during the current financial year, highlighting network expansion, higher freight capacity and improved passenger services across Bihar, Jharkhand and adjoining regions.
Among the most significant developments is the completion of the doubling of the 6.5km Tori–Biratoli section and the commissioning of the 41.5km Shivpur–Tori third line. Railway officials said the new capacity has enabled higher coal loading from the Chatra and Latehar mines in Jharkhand, easing supply to power plants nationwide and increasing freight revenue.
Progress has also been recorded on several new rail line projects in Bihar. Construction has been completed on the Bihar Sharif–Asthawan, Asthawan–Barbigha and Barbigha–Sheikhpura sections, while train services have begun between Sheikhpura and Jat Dumri following the completion of the Daniawan–Jat Dumri stretch. Only the Jat Dumri–Neura section of the 123km Neura–Daniawan–Bihar Sharif–Sheikhpura corridor remains under construction. Railways say the line will support both passenger movement and local economic development once fully operational.
On the busy Son Nagar–Patratu corridor, additional sections of the third-line project have been commissioned this year, adding to earlier completions and reducing congestion on a route critical for coal and long-distance traffic. Similarly, the completion of doubling work on the Nawada–Tilaiya section has marked the end of the Kiul–Gaya doubling project, improving operational efficiency on the route.
Several projects aimed at eliminating level crossings and bottlenecks have also been finalised. Phase one of the Garhwa road overbridge was commissioned in March, allowing uninterrupted movement of trains between Chopan and Tori, while a new road overbridge in the Mughalsarai division is expected to improve access to nearby villages and the Pusauli power grid.
Freight handling capacity has been strengthened through the completion of doubling works at Sindri marshalling yard and the Hazaribagh–Banadag section, alongside the commissioning of five Gati Shakti cargo terminals across Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh. Railways said these facilities would support faster and more reliable cargo movement.
In safety and signalling, ECR has expanded the rollout of the Kavach automatic train protection system, completing work on 77 route kilometres this year and awarding new tenders covering more than 1,100 additional route kilometres. Automatic block signalling has also been commissioned on 127km, increasing line capacity and improving punctuality.
Passenger services have seen notable expansion, with 36 new trains introduced so far this financial year, including Vande Bharat, Namo Bharat Rapid Rail and Amrit Bharat Express services. The routes of 15 existing train pairs have also been extended to improve connectivity.
Railway officials said the combined impact of the projects was already visible in smoother operations, time savings and higher revenues, with further benefits expected as remaining sections are completed.
