By Avijit Biswas
Bhagalpur: A new railway bridge over Ganga River in Bhagalpur district has been sanctioned as part of the New Vikramshila-Katareah rail line project. This significant development was confirmed following the approval of the project by the Union Cabinet.
Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the project’s approval during a media briefing on Friday, highlighting the decision made in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, according to a press communiqué from Eastern Railway.
The mega bridge, estimated to cost Rs 2,549 crores, will span 2.44 kilometers and form a crucial part of the 26-kilometer Vikramshila-Katareah rail line, connecting Vikramshila and Katareah stations. Vikramshila station is strategically located between Bhagalpur and Sahebganj stations in the Kiul-Sahebganj loop section of Eastern Railway, while Katareah is a smaller station situated between Naugachia and Katihar stations in the Sonepur division of East Central Railway.
The new bridge is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between North Bihar, West Bengal, South Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, and the North Eastern Region. By streamlining transport routes, reducing travel time, and ensuring better regional integration, the project aims to boost both passenger and freight transportation.
The bridge’s design includes a “Y” connection at both ends, providing multiple access points and facilitating travel from different directions. The construction phase of the bridge is projected to generate 22 lakh man-days of employment, thereby creating substantial job opportunities and boosting the local economy.
Furthermore, the project is expected to save 95 crore kilograms of carbon dioxide emissions, equivalent to planting 3.8 crore trees, underscoring the railways’ commitment to sustainable development and environmental stewardship.
During the media briefing, the railway minister also mentioned the sanctioning of a total of eight major railway projects by the Union Cabinet. He emphasized that these projects align with the Prime Minister’s vision of “Purvodey,” focusing on the development of eastern states. The projects are expected to contribute significantly to the development of Odisha, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and the North Eastern Region.
The minister added that the projects would benefit people residing in many aspirational and tribal districts in the eastern states, bolstering regional economies, improving transport infrastructure, and addressing connectivity issues.
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The author is a Bhagalpur based journalist
