PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, May 28: In a major push to strengthen railway infrastructure in the Kolhan region, Indian Railways has unveiled an expansion plan to reduce mounting pressure on Tatanagar railway station.
As part of the project, Govindpur, located near Tatanagar junction, will be developed as a satellite terminal to streamline train operations and ease congestion on the busy rail network.
Railway officials said the move is expected to improve operational efficiency at Tatanagar, which has witnessed a steady rise in passenger traffic and train movement over the years.
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Rs 47 crore proposed for new loop lines
To support the expansion plan, Railways has proposed the construction of two new loop lines at Govindpur at an estimated cost of nearly Rs 47 crore.
Loop lines are auxiliary tracks connected to the main railway line that allow slower or halted trains to move aside while express and superfast trains pass without interruption.
Officials said the new arrangement would help minimise delays and improve train movement in and around Tatanagar station.
Railways focuses on infrastructure modernisation
During an inspection of Tatanagar and Ghatshila railway stations on Wednesday, South Eastern Railway General Manager Anil Kumar Jain said the region had not witnessed major railway infrastructure expansion for decades.
“After 1928, large-scale railway infrastructure development remained limited for a long period. However, since 2014-15, focused efforts have been made to modernise and strengthen the network,” he said.
New yard lines and stabling facilities planned
Railways has also planned additional infrastructure projects to meet future operational requirements.
Around Rs 50 crore will be spent on laying two new railway lines at Tata Marshalling Yard and developing three stabling lines at Adityapur. These projects are expected to be completed by 2027.
According to railway officials, marshalling yards are used for reorganising coaches and forming trains, while stabling lines serve as parking and temporary holding areas for trains.
The new facilities are expected to reduce instances of trains waiting at outer signals due to the non-availability of platforms.
Third line work progressing rapidly
The General Manager said work on the third railway line between Salgajhari and Adityapur is progressing at a war footing and is likely to be completed by October this year.
Railway officials expressed confidence that the ongoing and proposed projects would significantly improve operational capacity and traffic management in the Tatanagar rail division.