Patna: With a view to expanding and strengthening the rail network in the state, the Bihar government has demanded from the Railway Board to construct additional rail lines, new rail bridge over river Ganges between Ara and Chapra besides introducing circular train service on Budh Circuit Rail Corridor.
Bihar Chief Secretary Amrit Lal Meena has, recently, shot off a letter to Railway Board Chairman for initiating various important railway projects in the state emphasising the need for expanding the rail network.
In his letter, Meena stated that Bihar’s population density is 1106/2011 (1388/2024) per person per sq km which is 289.5 per cent beyond the average population density of the nation whereas population density per lakh per railway track in the state is 5.31 km in comparison to the national average of 9.81 km.
Stating that notable share of state’s population travels to other regions for employment, education and healthcare creating further burden on rail infrastructure, the CS said the rail projects being demanded would bring the state to national standard.
Budh Circuit Rail Corridor
The Railways should introduce a circular train service on the rail network on existing Patna-Gaya-Tilaiya-Rajgir -Fatuha (sanction of Bakhtiarpur Tilaiya Doubling) which would greatly benefit travellers to and from Bodh Gaya and Rajgir, he said while adding that this service would facilitate convenient commuting for residents of Patna, Jehanabad, Gaya, Nawada and Nalanda districts.
South Bihar Suburban Transport Network
The letter said that residents of Buxar, Bhojpur, Rohtas, Lakhisarai, Munger Sheikhpura, Bhagalpur Jamui and Banka can be better connected to Patna, the state capital, by constructing additional rail line (3rd & 4th line) and operating local trains like Mumbai.
North Bihar Suburban Transport Network
It also demanded the construction of additional rail line along Siwan-Chapra-Hajipur-Muzaffarpur-Samastipur-Darbhanga to provide easy connectivity to Patna for residents of Siwan, Saran, Vaishali, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur and Darbhanga districts.
The number of rail passengers on Siwan-Chapra-Hajipur-Barauni-Katihar section is very high and therefore, there is an urgent need for developing the third and fourth railway lines on this rail section.
Patna Regional Transport Network
Connectivity between Fatuha and Bidupur can be established by building a rail bridge between Fatuha and Bidupur on the downside of Fatuha station, the CS letter said.
Apart from this, Patna Regional Transport Network can be developed in the form of Patna-Patna Saheb-Fatuha-Bidupur-Hajipur-Sonepur-Patliputra-Patna. This will be essential for successful implementation of mega coaching terminal & modern goods shed at Fatuha apart from development of satellite towns around Patna. It will further the goal of instituting the five satellite towns-cum-multi modal hubs around Patna.
Additional Railway Line in High Density Network
Keeping in mind the high volume of passengers on the DDU-Buxar-Ara-Patna-Kiul section of the state, the letter asks for “early sanction” for construction of third and fourth line to meet the growing demands.
Stating that DPR is under submission, the letter said that state government would provide all possible assistance for land acquisition even in congested sections like Gulzarbagh- Patna city, that included public amenities shifting and matching development of roads etc.
New Rail Bridge on Ganga River between Ara-Chapra
It demanded construction of a bridge between Ara and Chapra. It will enhance connectivity between Shahabad and Saran region, easing traffic between north and south Bihar.
Currently, JP Setu, Rajendra Setu, Munger ghat bridge are operational as rail bridges in the state, besides there is a plan to construct a new rail bridge near Kahalgaon.
Chief Secretary said that the state government assured the board of extending all possible support for the implementation of rail projects that it sought for state’s all round development.
