The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved key infrastructure projects in Bihar aimed at enhancing connectivity, supporting regional development, and generating employment ahead of the elections.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has sanctioned the doubling of the Bakhtiyarpur-Rajgir-Tilaiya single railway line section in Bihar. Spanning 104 km across four districts, the project is estimated to cost around Rs 21.92 billion.
The upgraded railway line is expected to improve access to major tourist and religious destinations such as Rajgir, Nalanda, and Pawapuri, which attract pilgrims from across India. It will also benefit approximately 1,434 villages, impacting nearly 1.34 million residents, including those in aspirational districts like Gaya and Nawada.
The project will enhance the transportation of coal, cement, clinker, and fly ash, with an anticipated additional freight capacity of 26 million tonnes annually. It is projected to save 50 million litres of fuel, reduce carbon emissions by 240 million kg—equivalent to planting 10 million trees—and contribute to India’s energy efficiency goals.
By reducing congestion, the rail expansion will boost operational efficiency and service reliability. The initiative aligns with the PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan and supports the government’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” vision by creating jobs and stimulating regional economic growth.
News source: Business Standard
