The Ministry of Railways has approved two vital rail infrastructure projects under South Eastern Railway, aiming to reduce congestion in high-density corridors. The two projects named Nimpura-Kharagpur 3rd line and Kalaikunda-Gokulpur got sanctioned and it will improve freight mobility and operational efficiency across the Howrah-Mumbai and Howrah-Chennai routes, allowing smooth train movement in the region.
Introduction:
The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned two crucial rail infrastructure works under the jurisdiction of South Eastern Railway (SER) to boost freight handling capacity and decongest some of India’s busiest rail corridors. These projects are important in view of the increasing demand for seamless movement of goods and will significantly ease train operations around Kharagpur, a vital junction on the Howrah-Mumbai and Howrah-Chennai high-density network.
3rd Line Between Nimpura Reception Yard and Kharagpur Junction:
- Length: 6.41 km
- Estimated Cost: Rs. 157.86 Crores
- Corridor: Part of the Adityapur-Kharagpur 3rd Line Project
This newly sanctioned 3rd line between Nimpura Reception Yard and Kharagpur Junction is expected to complete the overall Adityapur–Kharagpur 3rd line corridor. Located in the high-density Howrah-Mumbai and Howrah-Chennai trunk routes, the Nimpura–Kharagpur section is a crucial link for goods trains arriving from Adra and Gokulpur.
Benefits:
- Minimise detention of goods trains at critical zones
- Accelerate speed and operational efficiency
- Enable smoother and quicker movement of freight across zones
Once completed, this section will increase throughput and allow timely movement of cargo, making the line more agile and responsive to growing demand.
New Connectivity from Kalaikunda to Gokulpur via Nimpura West Outer (Bypassing Nimpura Yard):
- Length: 12.33 km
- Estimated Cost: Rs. 224.44 Crores
- Purpose: Capacity augmentation and yard decongestion
The second project involves the construction of a new direct line connecting Kalaikunda–Nimpura West Outer–Gokulpur, effectively bypassing the congested Nimpura Reception Yard. This bypass is situated in the Kharagpur vicinity, a crucial node for both passenger and freight trains.
Advantages:
- Reduce congestion at Nimpura Reception Yard
- Boost sectional capacity near Kharagpur
- Allow uninterrupted freight movement across eastern and central India
- Supports long-term growth in freight traffic across South Eastern Railway
By creating a direct line that avoids the existing yard, the project ensures faster turnaround times and less delays, both critical for economic freight logistics.
Conclusion:
These two sanctioned railway projects showcase Indian Railway’s commitment towards reinforcement of freight infrastructure. By reducing congestion and accelerating throughput near Kharagpur, the Nimpura-Kharagpur 3rd line and the Kalaikunda-Gokulpur connectivity will play a crucial role in improving operational efficiency, supporting economic growth, and sustaining long-term logistics development on key corridors.
Source: SER – Press Release | Image Credit (representational): MoR
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