Ranchi: Indian Railways has approved ₹122 crore for the 6 km Barbil-Bolanikhadan doubling project of South Eastern Railway. The project will strengthen rail capacity on a key mineral movement corridor and support rising iron ore traffic.
The approved work has a completion cost of ₹122 crore. Once commissioned, the Barbil-Bolanikhadan doubling will enable an additional 8.9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of freight traffic on the section. It will also help reduce delays affecting freight trains.
The existing Barbil-Bolanikhadan section has a single railway line. It currently handles about 9 MTPA, including around six loaded iron ore rakes each day. The traffic mainly consists of high-grade ore and pellets from SAIL’s Bolani mines and private sidings operated by Rungta and Khatau Narbheram.
These consignments move to major steel plants and ports. As a result, the section plays an important role in the region’s mineral and industrial supply chain.
The Barbil-Bolanikhadan section falls under Indian Railways’ “Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor”. The department has identified the doubling work as an infrastructure measure to meet growing freight requirements on the route.
Barbil-Bolanikhadan doubling to meet future freight demand
Indian Railways plans the doubling ahead of the full realisation of SAIL’s mine expansion and additional port and plant capacity. The additional track will help address potential capacity constraints as these activities expand.
The Barbil-Bolanikhadan doubling will also improve rail connectivity for iron ore movement to steel plants and ports. Furthermore, it will strengthen the corridor’s capacity as mining, industrial and port operations grow.
The project is expected to support smoother freight movement on the route while creating additional capacity for future traffic. It will also strengthen the wider Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor.
With the existing section already carrying substantial iron ore traffic, the additional line will provide more rail capacity for the region’s expanding mineral movement. The approved investment therefore targets both current freight requirements and anticipated future demand.
