Indian Railways is set to upgrade the busy Delhi–Howrah route by constructing third and fourth railway lines between Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction and Jhajha along a 400-km corridor.

The Rs 17,000-crore project aims to ease congestion, improve passenger services, and support smoother freight movement, ultimately boosting industrial activity across the region. Falling under the East Central Railway zone, the project has been divided into multiple sections for faster execution, including stretches from Danapur, Fatuha, Bakhtiyarpur, Punarkh, Kiul and onward to Jhajha. In the first phase, the Railway Board has approved the Bakhtiyarpur–Fatuha and Bakhtiyarpur–Punarkh sections, with tenders for the latter set to be finalised soon. Approvals for the Punarkh–Kiul and Kiul–Jhajha sections are in advanced stages.

Due to land constraints around Patna, the zonal railway said, “the construction.. will involve the removal of two stabling lines” and the creation of reversible tracks to optimise movement. Work is expected to begin in phases over the coming months.