Indian Railways Approves Rs 122 Crore for Barbil-Bolanikhadan Doubling Project

New Delhi, Sep 29 (KNN) Indian Railways has approved Rs 122 crore for doubling the 6-km Barbil-Bolanikhadan section of South Eastern Railway to increase freight capacity and improve movement of iron ore to steel plants and ports.

The existing section is a single-line route carrying around 9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), including about six loaded iron ore rakes per day. The traffic comprises high-grade ore and pellets from SAIL’s Bolani mines and private sidings operated by Rungta and Khatau Narbheram.

The doubling project is expected to facilitate an additional 8.9 MTPA of freight traffic after commissioning and reduce delays to freight trains.

The Barbil-Bolanikhadan section has been identified under Indian Railways’ Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor. The additional line is expected to address future capacity requirements as SAIL’s mine expansion and planned additions in port and plant capacity are realised.

The project will also increase rail capacity for iron ore movement and support freight requirements linked to expanding mining, industrial and port activities along the route.

(KNN Bureau)