Passengers travelling on the Bhagalpur-Dumka and Godda rail sections have received significant news regarding infrastructure development. The Eastern Railway headquarters in Kolkata has officially granted approval to upgrade three existing halts—Gonudham Halt, Panjwara Road, and Gangwara Halt—to full station status. This decision comes after a proposal from the Malda Division and is part of the PM Gati Shakti Yojana to enhance line capacity and passenger amenities.
From Halts to Crossing Stations
Currently, these locations operate merely as halts with minimal facilities and no permanent staff. With this new approval, they will be converted into "Crossing Stations." This is a major technical upgrade that allows trains to cross each other at these points, which will significantly help in managing traffic and reducing delays on the single-line section.
Once the upgrade is complete, the railway will appoint permanent staff, including Station Masters and point-men, to manage operations. Tenders for these conversions were processed late last year, and site preparations are reportedly accelerating as of February 2026.
Major Projects: New Terminal and Line Doubling
Apart from the station upgrades, the region is seeing massive investment to decongest the busy Bhagalpur Junction. A new terminal is coming up at Jagdishpur, and the rail line towards Rampurhat is being doubled. Here are the key details of these projects:
| Project Name | Estimated Cost | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| New Jagdishpur Terminal | ₹310.45 Crore | Located 14.40 km from Bhagalpur. Will have 3-4 platforms, 4 loop lines, and maintenance facilities to handle major trains. |
| Line Doubling | ₹3,169 Crore | Covers 177 km (Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat). Land acquisition is currently in progress. |
Impact on Daily Passengers
These developments address long-standing issues faced by daily commuters and long-distance travelers. The creation of new crossing stations at Gonudham and Gangwara will reduce the waiting time for trains like the Vande Bharat Express, which often face bottlenecks on single lines.
Additionally, the improved connectivity will directly benefit pilgrims visiting Baba Baidyanath Dham in Deoghar and Basukinath in Dumka. The modernization of Bhagalpur Junction, including a new ₹50 crore waiting hall, is also in its final approval stages following a recent inspection by the Eastern Railway General Manager.