Bihar News: Bihariganj-Kursela Rail Line Nears Approval; DPR Completed, Cost Revision Underway

The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the proposed 57.35-kilometre-long Bihariganj-Kursela new railway line has been prepared following a survey, and the project estimate is now being revised. After the revision, the proposal will be sent to the NITI Aayog for approval, following which construction work is expected to begin.

Railway officials said the revision of the estimate has become necessary due to a sharp rise in construction material prices, labour costs and circle rates, which are likely to significantly increase land acquisition expenses. The earlier estimate for the project was prepared nearly 16 years ago. A private company based in Kolkata completed the track design and survey work around three months ago.

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The Railway Board has allocated Rs 170.8 crore for the Bihariganj-Kursela rail project in the 2025-26 financial year. The proposed rail line will connect Bihariganj in Madhepura district to Kursela in Katihar district, passing through Dhamdaha, Madhopur, Sirsa, Kasmara, Durgapur, Rupauli and Dhusar Tikapatti in Purnia district.

Once completed, the project is expected to improve connectivity in the Diara and other difficult areas of Purnia, Madhepura and Katihar districts. It will also facilitate easier transportation and better market access for cash crops such as maize, wheat, jute and sugarcane.

The project was originally approved in the 2008-09 Union Budget when Lalu Prasad Yadav was the Railway Minister. At the time, an estimated cost of Rs 192.56 crore was sanctioned for the 57.35-kilometre line, with Rs 42.99 crore allocated for initial progress. The foundation stone was laid at Rupauli on February 7, 2009.

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According to the proposed route plan, the line was designed to include 74 bridges and 47 level crossings, along with the construction of three railway stations and four halts.

Confirming the development, Saraswati Chandra, Chief Public Relations Officer of East Central Railway, said the DPR for the Bihariganj-Kursela new rail project has been completed and that the estimate will be revised before seeking approval from the NITI Aayog to move the construction process forward.