New Delhi: Indian Railways has approved the ₹499 crore Mansi-Saharsa doubling project in Bihar to increase rail capacity, improve passenger services and support higher freight movement on the busy East Central Railway corridor. The Mansi-Saharsa doubling project covers 44.40 km and aims to ease congestion while meeting rising traffic demand.
The Mansi-Saharsa section currently operates as a single-line corridor on the Mansi-Saraigarh route. It handles 24 pairs of passenger trains in each direction and carries essential commodities such as wheat, maize, cement, fertilisers, rice, sugar, salt, ballast, sand and stone.
Railway officials said the section’s line capacity utilisation has already reached 108.11%. Moreover, it is expected to increase to 119.34% by 2028-29, making additional infrastructure essential for efficient operations.
The approved project will create extra line capacity, allowing smoother movement of passenger and freight trains. Consequently, it will reduce operational bottlenecks, improve punctuality and provide greater flexibility for future rail traffic growth.
Mansi-Saharsa doubling to strengthen freight capacity
The enhanced rail infrastructure is expected to handle an additional 1.764 million tonnes per annum of freight after commissioning. As a result, it will strengthen logistics for agriculture, construction and other sectors that depend on reliable rail transport.
Furthermore, the project will support faster movement of essential commodities across Bihar while improving overall service reliability for passengers.
Indian Railways said the project forms part of its broader strategy to expand capacity on high-demand routes. It also reflects the government’s focus on developing modern rail infrastructure that delivers safer, faster and more efficient transportation nationwide.
