Train operations at Tatanagar will start improving from 2027: South Eastern Railway GM Anil Kumar Jain

Rail Infrastructure Neglect Since 1928 Being Addressed Now: Anil Kumar Jain

Third Line up to Adityapur to Be Completed by October 2026: SER GM

Satellite Terminal Near Tatanagar Under Proposal Stage: Anil Kumar Jain

Jamshedpur, May 27: Anil Kumar Jain, General Manager of South Eastern Railway, on Wednesday said that massive railway infrastructure projects are being undertaken in and around Tatanagar Railway Station to improve passenger train movement, reduce congestion, and streamline freight operations in the region.

Speaking to the media after inspecting various ongoing development works at Tatanagar, Jain said the railway administration has prepared both short-term and long-term plans to modernize rail infrastructure in the steel city and adjoining areas.

He said railway infrastructure in the region had remained largely unchanged for decades. “Since 1928, major infrastructure work was not carried out here. Significant projects started getting sanctioned only after 2014-15,” Jain said.

According to him, earlier there were only two railway lines in the section, while the third line project was sanctioned later. He added that several infrastructure constraints continue to affect smooth train operations in the busy Tatanagar division.

Jain said the Railways, under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has sanctioned a number of projects aimed at increasing mobility and easing rail congestion. These include third and fourth railway lines, loop lines at stations, rail flyovers to avoid surface crossings, remodelling of the Tatanagar yard, and development of roads in Adityapur.

He also revealed that a proposal is being prepared for a satellite terminal near Tatanagar to reduce pressure on the existing station infrastructure. “The idea is to decongest Tatanagar station and improve operational efficiency,” he said.

Explaining the operational challenges, Jain said passenger trains and freight trains currently face delays because of limited infrastructure and platform congestion. He stressed that after completion of ongoing projects, passenger trains would receive priority movement and freight trains would be regulated more efficiently.

The SER General Manager announced that the third line work from Sini to Adityapur is targeted for completion by October 2026. Alongside this, non-interlocking work at Tatanagar yard will also continue.

He said there are around 32 diamond crossings inside the Tatanagar yard, out of which nine crossings are expected to be removed by October this year. “With the removal of these diamond crossings, the speed restriction of 10 kilometres per hour in the Tatanagar yard will end,” he informed.

Jain further stated that several loop line projects are underway across the division to improve train mobility. The loop line work at Sini station will be completed next month, while two loop lines at Manikui are expected to be completed by March 2027.

Apart from this, loop line projects have also been sanctioned at Rajkharsawan, Barabamboo, Lotapahar, Sonua, Tunia, and Balhalda Road stations. Tendering for these works is underway and they are expected to be completed during 2027.

Highlighting the importance of stabling lines, Jain said two new stabling lines will be developed at Tata Marshalling Yard and three additional stabling lines at Adityapur. The project, estimated at around Rs 50 crore, is likely to be completed in 2027.

He explained that due to shortage of available platforms at Tatanagar, many trains are forced to wait outside the station. “Once the stabling lines are developed, trains can be shifted to Adityapur after arriving at the platform, allowing quicker platform clearance and reducing delays,” he said.

The General Manager also announced the sanctioning of a new block station at Govindpur at an estimated cost of Rs 47 crore. Two loop lines will be constructed there and the project is expected to be completed by 2027-28.

Another crossing station is being developed between Tata and Haldipokhar at a cost of nearly Rs 45 crore. This work is scheduled for completion by December 2027.

Jain credited local public representatives, particularly Member of Parliament Bidyut Baran Mahato, for supporting railway infrastructure expansion projects in the region.

Among the major sanctioned projects is the third and fourth railway line between Sini and Kandra, approved at a cost of around Rs 286 crore. Jain said the Railways is aiming to complete this project during the 2027-28 financial year.

Similarly, the third and fourth line project between Chandil and Gamharia has been sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 1,100 crore. The fourth line is expected to be completed by 2029, while the third line may take until 2030 because of land acquisition and forest clearance requirements.

Jain said rail flyovers would also be developed at Kandra and Gamharia to eliminate surface crossings, which currently create severe operational bottlenecks. “These flyovers will significantly improve train movement and reduce congestion,” he said.

In another important announcement, Jain said a new bypass railway line is being planned between Kandra and Pandra-Sali to bypass Rajkharsawan. Survey and planning work for the project are currently underway.

He also informed that discussions had taken place regarding a proposal to connect Chandil, Nimdih, Bano and Jhargram through a new railway line. The proposal would be submitted to the Railway Ministry for consideration.

Speaking about freight operations, Jain highlighted the proposed East-West Dedicated Freight Corridor announced in the Union Budget. He said the dedicated freight corridor project, estimated at Rs 1.8 lakh crore, would greatly benefit the region.

According to him, nearly 550 kilometres of the corridor will fall under the jurisdiction of South Eastern Railway. “Once the dedicated freight corridor becomes operational, most goods trains will shift to the corridor, reducing pressure on existing railway tracks,” he explained.

Jain revealed that a project office for the freight corridor has already been opened in Jamshedpur. He said South Eastern Railway would assist in land acquisition and forest clearance processes for the project.

The SER General Manager also said that an IBSS project worth Rs 4.6 crore has been sanctioned and is expected to be completed by March 2027.

Further proposals have also been sent to the Railway Board. These include an additional line between Adityapur and Gamharia estimated at Rs 80 crore and a major Rs 383 crore proposal for maintenance facilities and infrastructure development for Vande Bharat Express trains at Tatanagar.

Jain said the Vande Bharat infrastructure proposal is already in an advanced stage of approval and would bring major infrastructure improvements to Tatanagar station.

Responding to questions about future Vande Bharat services, Jain said decisions regarding new Vande Bharat trains are taken at the ministry level. However, he expressed confidence that the aspirations of passengers from the region would gradually be fulfilled.

He also referred to the recently launched Jaipur train service, which currently originates from Satragachi due to platform constraints at Tatanagar. Jain clarified that all passenger facilities, including stoppage and reservation quota, would still be available at Tatanagar for passengers travelling on the Jaipur route.

When asked when commuters could expect visible improvements in train operations, Jain said changes would begin to reflect from 2027 onward. “I cannot give 100 percent assurance immediately because some projects will continue into 2028, but improvements will definitely start coming from 2027,” he said.