East Central Railway (ECR) General Manager Chhatrasal Singh inspected the Gaya-Koderma rail section on June 6 and 7, 2026. The visit focused on the Gurpa-Gajhandi ghat section, specifically Tunnel Number One. The railway plans to redesign this tunnel to allow the smooth movement of heavy BOBR rakes.
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Why is Tunnel Number One being redesigned?
The redesign and dimension increase of Tunnel Number One are happening on a war footing. This work aims to ensure that heavy BOBR rakes can operate smoothly on the up line. The primary goal is to increase freight carrying capacity, reduce wagon turnaround time, and boost railway revenue.
Who will benefit from this project?
This infrastructure upgrade will directly benefit the NTPC power plants located at Barauni and Buxar. It will ensure an uninterrupted supply of coal to these plants. The project is being executed by ECR with technical collaboration from IIT-ISM Dhanbad for the redesign of the tunnels.
Key details of the inspection and project
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Inspected By | GM Chhatrasal Singh |
| Inspection Dates | June 6-7, 2026 |
| Route Covered | Gaya-Koderma-Hazaribagh Town-Argada-Patratu-Garhwa Road |
| Technical Partner | IIT-ISM Dhanbad |
| Beneficiaries | NTPC Barauni and Buxar Plants |
| Recent Test | Empty BOBR rake trial on down line in May 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the purpose of redesigning Tunnel Number One?
The redesign aims to increase the tunnel dimensions to allow heavy BOBR rakes to pass easily, which will improve coal supply to NTPC plants and increase railway revenue.
Which institutions are involved in this tunnel project?
The project is being handled by East Central Railway (ECR) in collaboration with IIT-ISM Dhanbad for the technical redesign of the tunnels.