₹272 crore project aims to improve freight capacity and ease congestion.
Indian Railways has approved the construction of an 11 km bypass line between the Adra end and Joychandipahar on South Eastern Railway at an estimated cost of ₹272 crore. The project will provide dedicated path segregation and a bi-directional connection to the upcoming third line, supporting an estimated movement of 6.065 freight rakes per day.
The bypass is expected to strengthen freight movement linked to industrial demand, including Steel Authority of India Limited’s (SAIL) projected iron ore requirement of 23.40 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) and Bharat Coking Coal Limited’s (BCCL) projected movement of 45 freight rakes per day. It is also expected to facilitate additional freight traffic of 8.88 MTPA after completion.
According to Indian Railways, the project will remove operational bottlenecks and reduce surface-crossing delays on the Adra-Joychandipahar section, improving operational efficiency and easing congestion. The existing network is operating at 71 per cent utilisation, while the line capacity of the Joychandipahar-Adra section is projected to increase from 47.50 per cent to 56.45 per cent by 2028-29.
The bypass forms part of Indian Railways’ Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor and is intended to strengthen freight infrastructure by improving capacity, reducing operational conflicts and supporting the efficient movement of industrial commodities.
