The Railway Board has approved a budget of approximately 278.63 crore rupees for the doubling of the rail line between Bikaner East and Lalgarh. This 11 kilometer project aims to reduce train delays and ease traffic congestion in the Bikaner division of North Western Railway. Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal shared this update after meeting Rail Minister Ashwini Vaishnav in Delhi.
What are the project costs and timelines?
The project is expected to be completed by 2026. The total estimated cost is 278 crore rupees, which is divided into different segments for execution.
| Work Type | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Civil Work | 195 Crore |
| Signal and Telecommunication | 54 Crore |
| Electrification and General Expenses | 29 Crore |
How will this benefit the common passengers?
The doubling of the track will directly impact the travel time and efficiency of the corridor. It will resolve the frequent issue of closed railway gates in Bikaner, which often causes traffic jams for road users. The line capacity will increase, allowing more trains to run at higher speeds.
- Passenger trains will save about 12 to 15 minutes.
- Goods trains will save between 17 to 19 minutes of waiting time.
- Overall corridor efficiency will improve due to reduced congestion.
Other updates for Bikaner Railway
Apart from the doubling project, Lalgarh Junction is being redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme with a cost of 18.70 crore rupees, expected to finish by February 2025. Additionally, coaching maintenance facilities at Lalgarh are being expanded with an investment of 139.68 crore rupees to support Vande Bharat and LHB services. A new daily Lalgarh-Sabarmati Express is also scheduled to be flagged off on June 21, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the budget for the Lalgarh-Bikaner East doubling project?
The Railway Board has approved approximately 278.63 crore rupees for this project, covering civil work, signaling, and electrification.
When will the doubling work be completed?
The doubling of the 11 kilometer rail line between Bikaner East and Lalgarh is expected to be completed by 2026.