Indian Railways Approves ₹122 Crore for 6 km Barbil–Bolanikhadan Doubling Project of South Eastern Railway

Ministry of Railways Indian Railways Approves ₹122 Crore for 6 km Barbil–Bolanikhadan Doubling Project of South Eastern Railway Doubling to Support Growing Iron Ore Movement, Strengthen Mineral Corridor and Address Future Capacity Requirements

Posted On: 28 SEP 2026 5:32PM by PIB Delhi Indian Railways has approved the 6 km Barbil-Bolanikhadan Doubling Project of South Eastern Railway at a completion cost of ₹122 crore, strengthening rail infrastructure on an important mineral movement corridor.

Doubling to Support Growing Freight Traffic The project will facilitate additional freight traffic of 8.9 MTPA on this stretch after commissioning of the project. The doubling will also help reduce delays to freight trains.

The Barbil-Bolanikhadan section has been identified under the “Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor” of Indian Railways. The existing section is a single-line section and currently carries about 9 MTPA, comprising about 6 loaded rakes per day of originating iron ore traffic. The traffic is entirely for high- grade ore and pellets moving from SAIL’s Bolani mines and private sidings (Rungta, Khatau Narbheram) to major steel plants and ports.

Meeting Future Freight Requirements Doubling this 6 km stretch, ahead of the full realisation of SAIL’s mine expansion and port/plant capacity additions, will help to prevent the capacity constraints in the designated mineral corridor.

The approved work will support the growing freight requirements, improve rail connectivity for movement of iron ore to steel plants and ports, and strengthen rail capacity as mining, industrial and port activities expand in the region. It will also strengthen the Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor and support smoother movement of freight on this important route.

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