Why Indian Railways is adding a third track between Kiul and Jhajha on crowded Delhi–Howrah route

Patna: Indian Railways has approved a ₹962 crore project to construct a 54-km third railway line between Kiul and Jhajha in Bihar, marking a key capacity expansion on the heavily used Howrah–Delhi corridor.

The project is part of the High Traffic Density Network and is aimed at easing growing congestion on one of India’s busiest rail routes, which connects eastern and northern regions and handles a high volume of both passenger and freight traffic.

The existing double-line section between Kiul and Jhajha is currently operating beyond its optimal capacity, leading to delays and operational pressure on train movement. With rising demand expected in the coming years, the addition of a third line is intended to improve punctuality, increase operational flexibility and allow smoother handling of rail traffic without overburdening the existing infrastructure.

The corridor is strategically important as it links key industrial and logistics hubs in Bihar and eastern India with major destinations such as Kolkata and further towards Delhi. It also plays a crucial role in freight movement connected to ports like Kolkata and Haldia, along with inland cargo routes extending towards the Nepal border via Raxaul. The route supports cargo linked to major industrial facilities, including thermal power projects and container depots, making it vital for both economic and supply chain activity in the region.

Railways has stated that the project is part of its broader infrastructure modernisation plan to strengthen capacity on high-density routes and improve overall efficiency across the national network. Once completed, the third line is expected to reduce congestion, improve train reliability and support the increasing demand for both freight and passenger services across the Howrah–Delhi corridor.