The third railway line between Gonda and Budhwal, built at a cost of 1117.80 crore rupees, remains unused even after 10 months. The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS) raised objections regarding a technical flaw in the Ghaghra Ghat bridge, which has stopped the start of train operations on this route.
What is the main problem with the third line
The issue lies in one of the pillars of the Ghaghra Ghat bridge, where there is an excessive curve of more than 1.5 centimeters. CRS Pranjiv Saxena found this flaw and other deficiencies during inspections on July 3 and 4, 2025. Railway officials stated that this misalignment poses a risk of trains derailing, which is why the line has not been cleared for use.
Project details and current impact
This 61.72 km long project was announced in the 2019-20 budget and construction began in 2022-23. It was designed specifically for freight trains to reduce delays for passenger trains. Currently, the pressure on the existing two lines is high, causing 10 to 15 passenger trains to run late daily.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Project Cost | 1117.80 Crore |
| Total Length | 61.72 Kilometers |
| Problem Area | Ghaghra Ghat Bridge Pillar |
| Technical Flaw | 1.5 cm extra curve |
| Current Status | Operations stalled for 10 months |
When will the trains start running
Reports from May 17, 2026, indicate that the problem has not been solved yet. However, a railway official mentioned that the bridge construction wing is working to fix the deficiencies pointed out by the CRS. Once the corrections are verified, the operation of trains will begin on this line.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are trains not running on the Gonda-Budhwal third line?
Trains are not running because the CRS found a curve of more than 1.5 cm in a pillar of the Ghaghra Ghat bridge, which could lead to derailment.
How much was spent on this project and what was its purpose?
The project cost 1117.80 crore rupees for 61.72 km of track. It was built to separate freight trains from passenger trains to ensure punctuality.