The North Eastern Railway (NER) has initiated a survey to construct third and fourth railway lines across 12 high-density routes.
This move aims to enhance track capacity and cater to the increasing demand for train services. Under the directives of the Railway Board, engineering teams have started the survey work across the identified routes. By the next year, the survey for 457 km of railway lines will be completed. Following the survey, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared, and construction work will commence once the DPR is approved by the Railway Board.
Enhancing Capacity on High-Density Routes
The North Eastern Railway (NER) Railway Board has intensified its efforts to expand track capacity on high-density routes to operate more trains and provide better service to passengers. The strategic plan includes laying third and fourth lines, completing electrification projects, and installing automatic block signaling systems.
To meet the growing passenger demand, NER is adopting a planned approach to capacity expansion. After completing track doubling and full electrification, the focus has shifted to constructing third lines and, in some sections, even a fourth line. This initiative is crucial to ensuring efficient and timely train operations across busy routes.
Ongoing Construction and Completed Projects
North Eastern Railway (NER) Construction of electrified third and fourth lines capable of supporting speeds of up to 110 km/h is already underway. Some milestones achieved include:
- Completion of a 10 km third line between Kusmhi and Gorakhpur Cantt.
- Completion of a 23.65 km third line between Gonda Kachahri and Karnailganj.
- Surveys completed for the third line between Khalilabad and Baitalpur, spanning approximately 85 km.
North Eastern Railway (NER) Routes Under Survey for Expansion
The ongoing surveys aim to identify feasibility and prepare DPRs for the following routes:
- Baitalpur to Deoria Sadar (7 km): Third line.
- Deoria Sadar to Bhatni (21 km): Third line.
- Bhatni to Siwan (50 km): Third line.
- Siwan to Duraundha (18 km): Third line.
- Duraundha to Kopa and Samota (33 km): Third line.
- Chhapra Junction to Chhapra Kachahri (4 km): Third and fourth lines.
- Sitapur to Budhwal (88 km): Third and fourth lines.
- Budhwal to Barabanki (27 km): Third line.
- Budhwal to Gonda (62 km): Fourth line.
- Gonda to Mankapur (56 km): Third line.
- Basti to Mankapur (61 km): Third line.
- Basti to Khalilabad (30 km): Third line.
Passenger Demands and Future Challenges
The increasing passenger demand, particularly during festivals and holidays, highlights the urgent need for capacity expansion. Routes such as Barabanki to Chhapra and Budhwal to Sitapur are currently overburdened with high passenger traffic. Despite deploying over 150 special trains during festivals like Diwali and Chhath Puja, overcrowding persists due to the limited track capacity and the high frequency of regular trains.
Presently, the Gorakhpur headquarters sees around 200 trains operating daily, with over one lakh passengers using Gorakhpur Junction. The existing infrastructure struggles to handle the ever-growing demand for train services, restricting the railway’s ability to introduce additional trains.
Significance of the Expansion Project
The North Eastern Railway (NER) third and fourth line projects will significantly enhance the efficiency of train operations and address the challenges posed by high passenger demand. Once completed, these projects will enable the railway to operate more trains, reduce delays, and improve overall passenger convenience.
With the DPR preparation already underway and surveys progressing rapidly, the Railway Board is committed to expediting the construction process. These efforts will not only bolster the infrastructure of the North Eastern Railway but also serve as a critical step in modernizing India’s railway network. This capacity expansion project by NER reflects a long-term vision to accommodate future growth in passenger and freight traffic while ensuring seamless travel experiences for millions of passengers daily.
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