**Executive Summary**
Indian Railways has approved the ₹499 crore doubling of the 44.40 km Mansi-Saharsa section in Bihar to address over-utilization and improve operational efficiency. The project, announced on June 30, 2026, aims to alleviate congestion on a corridor currently operating at 108.11% capacity. Upon completion, the infrastructure will support increased passenger services and facilitate an additional 1.764 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of freight traffic.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Project Scope and Finance**
* **Location:** Doubling of the 44.40 km Mansi-Saharsa section under the East Central Railway in Bihar.
* **Investment:** Total approved cost of ₹499 crore.
* **Infrastructure:** Transitioning the current Mansi-Saraigarh single-line corridor into a double-line section.
**Capacity and Utilization**
* **Current Overload:** The section currently handles 24 pairs of passenger trains daily and has reached a line capacity utilization of 108.11%.
* **Future Projections:** Utilization is expected to rise to 119.34% by 2028-29 if no action is taken.
* **Freight Volume:** The project is designed to handle an additional 1.764 MTPA of freight upon commissioning.
**Operational Benefits**
* **Congestion Relief:** Reduces operational bottlenecks and enhances line capacity for smoother train movement.
* **Efficiency:** Improves train punctuality and provides greater operational flexibility.
* **Commodity Support:** Enhances the transportation of essential goods, including wheat, maize, cement, fertilisers, sugar, salt, and construction materials.
**Impact Analysis**
**East Central Railway / Indian Railways**
**Impact:** Significant improvement in infrastructure reliability, reduced congestion, and the ability to meet projected traffic demands through 2029.
**Action Required:** Oversee the construction, commissioning, and integration of the new double-line infrastructure.
**Passengers**
**Impact:** Beneficiaries of improved service punctuality and potential increases in train frequency due to expanded line capacity.
**Action Required:** No direct action required; passengers will benefit from improved service reliability post-commissioning.
**Freight Consignors and Industrial Sectors**
**Impact:** Industries such as agriculture and construction will gain from strengthened logistics and the capacity to move an additional 1.764 MTPA of cargo.
**Action Required:** Stakeholders in these sectors should prepare to scale logistics and supply chain operations to leverage the increased freight handling capacity.
Key Entities Referenced
Mansi-Saharsa Doubling Project: A ₹499 crore infrastructure initiative aimed at doubling the 44.40 km railway line to enhance capacity for passenger and freight traffic.
Ministry of Railways: The primary government body that approved the capacity enhancement project to improve operational efficiency and rail infrastructure.
East Central Railway: The specific railway zone under which the Mansi-Saharsa section is located and where the doubling project will be implemented.
Mansi-Saharsa section, Bihar: The central rail corridor in Bihar targeted for expansion to alleviate over-utilization and support the movement of essential commodities.
Ministry of Railways
Indian Railways Approves ₹499 Crore Mansi-
Saharsa Doubling Project to Enhance Capacity
for Passenger and Freight Traffic in Bihar
Over 44 km Doubling Project to Ease Congestion, Increase
Line Capacity and Support Movement of Essential
Commodities Including Wheat, Maize, Cement, Fertilisers and
Sugar
प्रव तथ: 30 JUN 2026 6:00PM by PIB Delhi
In a significant boost to railway infrastructure in Bihar, Indian Railways has approved the doubling of the
44.40 km Mansi-Saharsa section of East Central Railway at a cost of ₹499 crore. The project will augment
line capacity, improve operational efficiency and cater to the growing demand for passenger and freight
movement on this important route.
Capacity Enhancement on a Busy Rail Corridor
The Mansi-Saharsa section is presently a single-line corridor on the Mansi-Saraigarh route, handling
heavy passenger and freight traffic. The section operates 24 pairs of passenger trains in each direction
while also facilitating transportation of essential commodities such as wheat, maize, ballast, boiled rice,
cement, fertilisers, rice, salt, sand, stone and sugar.
The current line capacity utilisation has already reached 108.11% and is projected to increase to 119.34%
by 2028-29, underscoring the urgent need for additional rail capacity.
Boost to Passenger Services and Freight Movement
The doubling project will create additional line capacity, enabling smoother movement of both passenger
and freight trains while reducing operational bottlenecks. The enhanced infrastructure will improve
punctuality, increase operational flexibility and support future growth in rail traffic across the region.
Upon commissioning, the project is expected to facilitate handling of an additional 1.764 Million Tonnes
Per Annum (MTPA) of freight traffic, strengthening logistics for agriculture, construction and other key
sectors of the regional economy.
The project forms part of Indian Railways' continued efforts to expand capacity on high-demand routes,
improve service reliability and support faster, safer and more efficient transportation for passengers and
freight across the country.
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Dharmendra Tewari/ Dr. Nayan Solanki/ Ritu Raj/ Manik Sharma
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2279464) आगंतुक पटल : 387इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , ही , Gujarati , Kannada