Cabinet approves doubling of Bhagalpur–Dumka–Rampurhat rail line at Rs 3,169 crore

The Bhagalpur–Dumka–Rampurhat railway line, which connects Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, was cleared by the government to be doubled at an estimated cost of Rs 3,169 crore.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the 177-kilometer project, which will increase line capacity, reduce traffic, and improve mobility on a major railway segment, according to an official statement.

Five districts in three states will be covered by the project, which would improve train access to major tourist and religious destinations like Tarapith and Deoghar (Baba Baidyanath Dham).  Additionally, 441 villages, including three aspirational districts (Banka, Godda, and Dumka), will benefit around 28.7 lakh people.

It is anticipated that the multi-tracking project will increase freight traffic by 15 million tons annually, mostly for coal, cement, fertilizers, bricks, and stones.  In order to meet climate targets, the initiative will reduce logistics costs, limit oil imports, and minimize CO2 emissions by 24 crore kg, which is equivalent to growing one crore trees. 

The PM Gati Shakti National Master Project Plan, which was used to plan the project, placed a strong focus on enhanced multi-modal connectivity and integrated infrastructure development.