Cabinet Approves Rs. 2,192 Cr Doubling of Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir–Tilaiya Rail Line

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has approved the doubling of the Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir–Tilaiya railway line section (104 km) in Bihar, at an estimated cost of ₹2,192 crore.

The project spans four districts in Bihar and will expand the Indian Railways network by about 104 km. It will also enhance rail connectivity to prominent destinations such as Rajgir (Shanti Stupa), Nalanda, and Pawapuri, boosting pilgrimage and tourism in the region.

The multi-tracking project is set to improve connectivity for around 1,434 villages, benefitting nearly 13.5 lakh people, including residents of two Aspirational Districts, Gaya and Nawada.

This is an essential route for transportation of commodities such as coal, cement, clinker, fly ash etc. The capacity augmentation works will result in additional freight traffic of magnitude 26 MTPA (Million Tonnes Per Annum). The Railways being environment friendly and energy efficient mode of transportation, will help both in achieving climate goals and minimizing logistics cost of the country, reduce oil import (5 Crore Litres) and lower CO2 emissions (24 Crore Kg) which is equivalent to plantation of 1 (One) Crore trees.

The enhanced line capacity will improve mobility, providing enhanced efficiency and service reliability for Indian Railways. The multi-tracking proposal will ease operations and reduce congestion, providing the much-required infrastructural development on the busiest sections across Indian Railways. The projects are in line with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of a New India which will make people of the region “Atmanirbhar” by way of comprehensive development in the area which will enhance their employment/ self-employment opportunities.

The projects are planned on PM-Gati Shakti National Master Plan with focus on enhancing multi-modal connectivity & logistic efficiency through integrated planning and stakeholder consultations. These projects will provide seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods, and services.