The South Eastern Railway is carrying out permanent strengthening work on the Koel River railway bridge on the Ranchi-Lohardaga section. This master plan aims to ensure that train services remain uninterrupted during the upcoming monsoon season. The project focuses on fixing structural weaknesses to avoid the operational halts that occurred in the past.
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What specific work is being done on the Koel River bridge?
Railway engineers are repairing pillars and installing steel girders to increase the bridge’s load-bearing capacity. Pillar number five is being reinforced with 15 piling works, while the piling platform caps of pillars four and six have also been strengthened. To protect the foundation from river flow, curtain walls are being built in affected areas and drop walls are being constructed on the opposite side to stop soil erosion.
What was the reason for the previous train suspensions?
Train services on the Ranchi-Lohardaga-Tori route were suspended from January 5-6, 2026, after cracks were found in pillars 4, 5, and 6 of bridge number 115. Former GM Anil Kumar Mishra stated that extensive sand excavation around the river exposed the pillar foundations, leading to the damage. Services were fully restored on March 28, 2026, after the installation of a 26.8-meter-long RH girder.
Current status and safety confirmation
DRM Karunanidhi Singh confirmed on May 26, 2026, that current train operations on the bridge are completely safe. The additional reinforcement work is a preventive measure to handle the increased river flow during the rainy season. The goal is to ensure a permanent solution so that passengers do not face diversions or cancellations in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why were trains stopped on the Ranchi-Lohardaga route in January 2026?
Trains were stopped because cracks were discovered in pillars 4, 5, and 6 of the Koel River bridge, primarily caused by illegal sand excavation that exposed the foundations.
When was the train service fully restored on this section?
Regular train operations, including the Rajdhani Express, were fully restored on March 28, 2026, after initial repairs and the installation of a new girder.