Indian Railways Approves ₹440 Crore Third Line Project Between Nimpura and Midnapur to Boost Capacity on South Eastern Railway
By Antara Tripathy
IBG NEWS
New Delhi, July 23, 2026: In a major boost to railway infrastructure in eastern India, the Ministry of Railways has approved the construction of a 14.52-kilometre third railway line between Nimpura West Outer Cabin and Midnapur under the South Eastern Railway at an estimated cost of ₹440 crore. The project is expected to significantly enhance passenger and freight movement on one of the busiest sections of the railway network.
The approval marks another step in Indian Railways’ ongoing efforts to strengthen capacity on high-density rail corridors while meeting the growing transportation requirements of industries and passengers.
Capacity Expansion on a Strategic Corridor
The sanctioned project involves laying a third railway line between Nimpura West Outer Cabin and Midnapur, a section that forms part of the High Utilisation Network (HUN-2).
At present, the Nimpura West Outer Cabin–Gokulpur stretch operates as a single-line section, while doubling work is already underway. The newly approved third line will provide additional operational flexibility, improve train handling capacity and help ease congestion on this strategically important route.
Railway officials believe the project will play a crucial role in supporting both freight operations and passenger services across the region.
Addressing Heavy Rail Congestion
The corridor currently carries a substantial volume of passenger trains alongside heavy freight traffic transporting essential raw materials and industrial goods.
According to official figures, the route handles nearly 23.80 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) of freight, transporting commodities such as:
- Coal
- Iron ore
- Manganese
- Steel
- Pellet iron
- Cement
- Clinker
- Containers
- Fertilisers
- Petroleum products
- Wheat
- Rice
- Limestone
- Gypsum
- Stone
- Ballast
- Edible oil
- Chemical salt
- Ash and other bulk commodities
The existing line is operating at approximately 115.71 per cent capacity utilisation, indicating severe congestion and underscoring the urgent need for additional infrastructure.
Freight Movement to Receive Major Boost
Upon completion, the third line is expected to facilitate an additional freight capacity of 3.52 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA).
The enhanced capacity will enable smoother transportation of coal, iron ore, steel, cement and other essential commodities that are critical to India’s industrial and infrastructure sectors.
Improved freight movement is also expected to reduce delays, increase network reliability and support industries dependent on timely logistics.
Benefits for Passenger Services
Besides strengthening freight operations, the additional railway line will improve punctuality and operational efficiency for passenger trains by reducing congestion on the corridor.
Railway planners expect the project to provide greater scheduling flexibility, minimise operational bottlenecks and improve overall service reliability for commuters travelling through this important section of South Eastern Railway.
Supporting Economic Growth
The infrastructure project forms part of Indian Railways’ long-term strategy to modernise the national rail network through capacity augmentation on high-demand routes.
Officials said the additional line will not only improve connectivity across eastern India but also contribute to economic growth by supporting industrial production, ensuring faster movement of goods and enhancing the efficiency of the country’s freight transportation system.
With increasing demand for rail-based logistics, the ₹440-crore investment is expected to strengthen South Eastern Railway’s role as a vital transport corridor connecting mining regions, industrial hubs and ports while improving mobility for passengers and businesses alike.
