en.Wedoany.com Reported - Indian Railways has approved the 29-km multi-tracking project on the Danapur–Fatuha section of East Central Railway, with a total investment of INR 9.76 billion. The project aims to ease congestion on the Patna railway corridor, enhance the throughput capacity for passenger and freight trains, improve train punctuality, strengthen industrial logistics transportation, and meet the growing railway transport demand in Bihar.
The multi-tracking work is divided into three components: construction of the third and fourth railway lines on the Danapur–Patna section; construction of the third railway line on the Rajendra Nagar–Patna Saheb section; and construction of the third and fourth railway lines on the Patna Saheb–Fatuha section. Once the new tracks are operational, the train-carrying capacity of this section is expected to increase significantly. Within the first year of operation, the upgraded corridor will be able to handle an additional 22 passenger trains and 18 freight trains per day, and the railway network will also accommodate an additional 5.2 million tonnes of freight annually, thereby strengthening cargo transportation through Bihar and surrounding regions.
The Danapur–Fatuha multi-tracking project is part of a broader quadrupling initiative covering the entire Delhi–Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction–Patna–Kiul–Bhagalpur–Khanna–Howrah route. This strategic railway route has been included in Indian Railways' Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor, given its significant role in transporting bulk commodities and supporting industrial and energy-related logistics.
The reinforced railway section will also provide critical transport support for the planned 2,120 MW thermal power plant at Chausa in Buxar district. This power project relies on railways to transport bulk input materials, and the capacity expansion of the Patna corridor will ensure power plant-related logistics requirements are met while facilitating the smooth movement of other freight traffic.
The INR 9.76 billion investment reflects Indian Railways' commitment to capacity expansion on high-density routes. By easing congestion, increasing train operations, and strengthening freight transportation, the Danapur–Fatuha project is expected to enhance overall operational efficiency in the Patna region and support infrastructure development and economic growth in Bihar.
