New Delhi, Sep 24 (UNI) The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, today cleared the doubling of the Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir–Tilaiya railway line section in the poll-bound Bihar.
The 104-km rail project, with a capital investment of approximately Rs 2,192 crore, aims to augment the capacity of a key rail corridor passing through four districts, enhancing both passenger and freight operations, said a statement from the Cabinet here.
The project will not only expand the existing Indian Railways network but also serve as a crucial link for religious tourism, connecting prominent heritage sites including Rajgir’s Shanti Stupa, Nalanda, and Pawapuri, which attract thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year.
Once completed, the multi-tracking initiative will significantly improve rail connectivity for approximately 1,434 villages and benefit a population of over 13.46 lakh across the region, including two Aspirational Districts—Gaya and Nawada.
“The project aligns with the Centre’s commitment to inclusive development and balanced regional growth under the Aspirational Districts Programme,” said the statement.
Designed as a capacity enhancement project, the line is vital for transporting bulk commodities such as coal, cement, clinker, and fly ash. The doubling of this section is expected to handle an additional 26 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight, easing congestion and enhancing overall logistics efficiency in one of the busiest freight corridors of Eastern India.
The project will yield considerable environmental and economic benefits, noted the statement. “By shifting freight from road to rail, Indian Railways expects to reduce oil imports by 5 crore litres annually and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 24 crore kilograms—a reduction equivalent to planting one crore trees,” as per the statement. As the railway sector remains the most energy-efficient and sustainable mode of land transport, this project is aligned with India’s climate goals and its commitments under energy transition strategies.
The doubling project has been formulated under the ambit of the PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan, which aims to ensure multi-modal connectivity and logistics integration through coordinated infrastructure development.
