Six key railway stations to get major facelift

Patna: Six key stations—Patna, Gaya, Deen Dayal Upadhaya Junction (DDU), Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur and Bhagalpur—are set to undergo extensive redevelopment aimed at doubling their traffic-handling capacity over the next five years.

Of these, five stations fall under jurisdiction of the East Central Railway (ECR).According to ECR’s chief public relations officer (CPRO) Saraswati Chandra, Patna Junction will see one of the most ambitious upgrades, with the development of five additional terminals exclusively for suburban train services at the Hardinge Park land. The project, estimated at Rs95 crore, is expected to significantly decongest the main station Patna Junction and improve suburban connectivity, he said.DDU, one of the busiest rail hubs in eastern India, will have its operational capacity doubled through enhanced traffic management, construction of new stabling yards and comprehensive yard remodelling. The upgrade is being carried out at a cost of Rs17 crore, he said.Gaya Junction is being developed as a world-class station with an investment of Rs296 crore. The redevelopment includes the creation of additional stabling yards, augmentation of line capacity and installation of advanced automatic signalling systems to ensure safer and smoother train operations, the CPRO said.

Muzaffarpur Junction is also undergoing transformation into a world-class station, with an investment of Rs 442 crore. The project focuses on expanding yard facilities, increasing line capacity and modernising passenger amenities to meet future traffic demands, he said, adding Darbhanga will be redeveloped under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS), aimed at improving passenger facilities, station aesthetics and operational efficiency while supporting increased train movements.In addition to station-centric projects, the Patna-Jhajha-DDU main line is set to witness a major leap in capacity expansion. Plans are underway to double traffic operations by laying new third and fourth railway lines in the coming days, which will further ease congestion on one of Bihar’s most critical rail corridors, DDU- Patna-Jhajha-Howrah route, the CPRO said, adding these projects collectively mark a significant step towards modernising Bihar’s rail network, enhancing passenger experience and supporting the state’s growing economic and mobility needs.