Indian Railways and the East Central Railway (ECR) have announced a major 14-day traffic block to facilitate the commissioning of a new double-line rail bridge over the Ganges near Mokama, Bihar. This essential infrastructure project, scheduled from September 21 to October 4, 2026, will involve Non-Interlocking (NI) work that is set to impact 845 train services along the vital Delhi-Patna-Howrah route. Passengers planning travel during this period should note the following key disruptions:
- 338 trains will be cancelled throughout the 14-day block.
- 384 trains will be diverted to alternative routes.
- 56 trains will be short-terminated, and 67 trains will be short-originated.
- The highest volume of disruption is expected on October 3, with 36 trains cancelled.
Upgrading Critical Infrastructure
This project aims to replace the congestion-prone Rajendra Setu, which has served the region since 1959. The new double-line bridge is a massive undertaking, approved in the 2015-16 rail budget at a cost of approximately ₹1,491.47 crore. Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for this structure on March 12, 2016. The bridge spans 1.9 kilometers, with a total project length of 14 kilometers including approach lines. Once operational, it will connect Upper Hathidah, Tal, Rampur Dumra, Dinkar Gram Simaria, and Barauni Junction, allowing for train speeds of up to 110 kilometers per hour.
Passenger Advisory
Major services including the Kolkata-Jaynagar Express, Ajmer-Bhagalpur Express, and Gorakhpur-Ranchi Express will face schedule changes. ECR Chief Public Relations Officer Saraswati Chandra has strongly advised all passengers to verify their train status and route details via official IRCTC channels or the NTES app before heading to the station. By streamlining this section, Indian Railways intends to significantly reduce bottlenecks, ensuring smoother and more efficient transit on the high-traffic Delhi-Howrah corridor in the long run.