The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the doubling of the Bakhtiyarpur-Rajgir-Tilaiya railway line section (104 km) in Bihar. The project, estimated to cost around Rs 2,192 crore, will connect four districts and expand the Indian Railways network by 104 kilometres.
The route links major religious and tourist destinations, including Rajgir (Shanti Stupa), Nalanda, and Pawapuri, attracting pilgrims and tourists from across India. The project will improve connectivity for 1,434 villages and benefit approximately 13.46 lakh people, including those in the aspirational districts of Gaya and Nawada.
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The line is also vital for freight transportation, including coal, cement, clinker, and fly ash. Doubling the track will allow an additional freight movement of 2.6 crore tonnes per year. Being eco-friendly and energy-efficient, the project is expected to reduce oil imports by 5 crore litres and cut CO2 emissions by 24 crore kilograms, equivalent to planting 1 croretrees.
Officials said the project will enhance operational capacity, reduce congestion, and improve service reliability on one of Indian Railways’ busiest sections. Under the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, it will also strengthen multi-modal connectivity and logistics efficiency, facilitating smoother movement of people and goods.
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The railway doubling aligns with Prime Minister Modi’s vision of a ‘New India’ and is expected to boost economic and social development in Bihar, creating greater employment and self-employment opportunities for the region.