Hajipur/Patna: East Central Railway (ECR) general manager Chhatrasal Singh on Monday carried out a window trailing inspection of the Patliputra–Shahpur Patori–Barauni–Naugachia rail section, reviewing infrastructure, safety systems and construction progress along the route.
The inspection covered railway stations, bridges and culverts, overhead equipment (OHE), track formation and the structural condition of the rail line, officials said.
Review of Bikramshila–Kataria project
During the visit, Singh also inspected the construction site of the Bikramshila–Kataria new rail line project, a major infrastructure plan aimed at improving connectivity across the Ganga in Bihar.
As part of the inspection, he reached Naugachia station and reviewed the elevated construction site towards Kataria. He also visited the project site on the Bhagalpur side, including the location proposed for a new station.
Ganga bridge work and land acquisition
The project includes the construction of a 2.44-km double-line rail bridge over the Ganga. Railway officials said the tendering process for the bridge has been completed and soil testing work is finished.
The design and drawing of the main bridge are expected to be finalised within the next three months, following which construction will begin.
For the rail links connecting both ends of the bridge, around 180 hectares of land will be acquired. Officials said more than half of this land is privately owned, and notices under Sections 20A and 20E have already been issued.
Rs. 2,549 crore connectivity push
The 26-km Bikramshila–Kataria new line project, estimated at Rs. 2,549 crore, will be built near Bhagalpur. It is expected to improve rail connectivity between Kosi, Seemanchal and Ang regions.
Under the plan, Bikramshila station will connect to the Bhagalpur–Sahibganj section, while Kataria will link with the Katihar–Barauni section.
Railway officials said the proposed rail bridge will have a Y-shaped structure, connecting Kataria and Naugachia on the northern side, and Bikramshila and Shivnarayanpur on the southern side.
Officials present
Senior railway officials present during the inspection included chief administrative officer (construction/south) Rajeev Gupta, principal chief operations manager Indu Rani Dubey, Sonpur divisional railway manager Amit Saran, along with other headquarters and divisional staff.
