East Central Railway is moving ahead with a major infrastructure project in Bihar to ease heavy train traffic. A new double-line railway bridge will be constructed over the Sone River in Koilwar, parallel to the existing railway bridge. This project is a key part of the larger plan to expand the rail network between Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction and Jhajha. The General Manager of East Central Railway, Chhatrasal Singh, recently confirmed that the proposal has been sent to the Railway Board for further action.
👉: Delhi-Howrah Rail Route to hit 160 kmph: Travel Time to Drop by 5 Hours।
What are the key features and cost of the new Koilwar rail bridge?
The ambitious project is estimated to cost between 3,500 crore and 4,000 crore rupees. Once the new bridge is functional, the total capacity will increase significantly, allowing three trains to move simultaneously across the Sone River using both the old and new structures. Currently, the Koilwar section faces bottlenecks as only one train can pass in each direction at a time. The Detailed Project Report is expected to be submitted to the Railway Board this month, and due to the high cost, it will eventually require approval from the Central Cabinet.
How will this project impact rail travel in Bihar?
- The new bridge will reduce congestion on the Howrah-Patna-DDU rail section, which is vital for eastern India.
- It will improve the speed and punctuality of both passenger and freight trains.
- The project is part of a larger 17,000 crore plan to lay third and fourth railway lines between DDU Junction and Jhajha.
- Preliminary work has already started, with notices issued in July 2025 to remove encroachments near the bridge site.
- This expansion will act as a game-changer for future rail traffic and regional connectivity.