Patna, October 6 (APAC Media): A new double-line railway bridge over the Ganges at Mokama has been commissioned, with the Mahananda Express becoming the first train to cross the structure early Tuesday morning.
The train crossed the new bridge at around 90 kmph, significantly higher than the 40–50 kmph speed restrictions on the existing Rajendra Setu.
Rs 2,400 Crore Project Boosts Rail Capacity
Built at a cost of around Rs 2,400 crore, the new bridge adds two railway lines alongside the existing single-line Rajendra Setu, increasing rail capacity on a key corridor connecting north and south Bihar.
The new bridge spans approximately 1.86 km, while the overall project covers around 14 km, including connecting tracks and related infrastructure.
The existing Rajendra Setu will continue to carry train operations, taking the total number of railway lines across the Ganges on this section to three.
Safety Clearance Completed
Commissioner of Railway Safety for the Eastern Circle, Kolkata, Guru Prakash, conducted a two-day inspection on October 3 and 4 before granting safety clearance.
The inspection covered the bridge, tracks, signalling, electrification and other technical arrangements along the Rajendra Pul-Hathidah Upper-Rampur Dumra rail section.
The project includes three electronic interlocking systems, two interlocked level-crossing gates and an automatic signalling system.
Bridge Designed for 140 Kmph
The project was sanctioned in the 2015-16 Rail Budget, with construction work launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2016.
IRCON International awarded the construction contract to Afcons Infrastructure on an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) basis.
The new bridge has been designed to support train speeds of up to 140 kmph and will be integrated with the Mokama-Barauni section and the Howrah-Delhi main line.
The commissioning comes ahead of the Diwali and Chhath festival season, when passenger movement to Bihar typically rises, providing additional rail capacity on an important route.
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