Bihar's 20-km Neora-Jatdumri rail line has received approval from the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), paving the way for train operations on the newly constructed section.
The approval came after a successful inspection and a speed trial at 120 kmph on October 8, 2026. The section is part of the 42-km Neora-Daniyawan railway project under the Danapur Division of East Central Railway.
The new route is expected to make freight movement around Patna more efficient. Once the full project is operational, goods trains will be able to travel through Neora, Daniyawan, Biharsharif, Barbigha, Sheikhpura and Kiul instead of using the heavily congested route through Patna.
The diversion could also create more space for passenger services on the existing Danapur-Patna-Kiul-Jhajha corridor, a 187-km stretch that forms part of the busy Delhi-Howrah main line.
Neora-Jatdumri Railway Project Gets CRS Approval
The Neora-Daniyawan railway project has been developed in two phases. The 22.74-km Jatdumri-Daniyawan section was completed first and is already operational.
The remaining 20-km Jatdumri-Neora stretch underwent a CRS safety inspection before receiving approval for train operations. The inspection included a successful 120 kmph speed trial.
The project also strengthens connectivity between existing railway networks. Neora station is located on the Patna-Ara section, while Jatdumri station is on the Patna-Gaya railway line.
A new station at Gonpura and three halts at Adhpa, Chamachak and Wajidpur have been constructed between Neora Junction and Jatdumri Junction.
The new section includes three major bridges, 16 minor bridges, five Limited Height Subways, two Road Over Bridges, one Rail Over Rail structure and 12 Road Under Bridges.
Patna Freight Train Bypass to Ease Delhi-Howrah Rail Congestion
The main advantage of the new railway line will be its ability to divert freight trains away from the congested Patna corridor.
Goods trains will have an alternative route through Neora and Daniyawan before continuing towards Biharsharif, Barbigha, Sheikhpura and Kiul. This is expected to reduce pressure on the Danapur-Patna-Kiul-Jhajha section.
East Central Railway has described the existing corridor as highly congested because it handles both passenger and freight traffic on the Delhi-Howrah main line.
Diverting some freight services could free additional railway capacity and make it possible to introduce more passenger trains on the existing route.
The project is therefore expected to benefit both freight and passenger operations. Freight trains could get a more efficient route around Patna, while passengers could benefit from additional capacity on the main corridor.
With CRS approval secured for the Neora-Jatdumri section, the project has crossed an important safety milestone. Once fully operational, the route is expected to improve rail connectivity in Bihar, strengthen freight movement and ease pressure on one of the country's busiest railway corridors.
