Deoghar- BJP MP from Godda Nishikant Dubey on Friday inaugurated a new railway bypass line at Jasidih railway station in Jharkhand by flagging off a train, marking a significant step towards improving rail operations in the Deoghar and Santhal Pargana regions.
Built at a cost of around Rs 293 crore, the nearly five-km-long line will eliminate the need for trains using the route to enter Jasidih station and reverse their locomotives. The change is expected to save operational time, reduce congestion and ensure smoother movement of passenger and freight trains.
Eastern Railway General Manager Geetika Pandey, Asansol Divisional Railway Manager Sangrah Maurya and other senior railway officials attended the inauguration.
The bypass provides an alternative route for trains travelling from the Deoghar Link Cabin via Kumrabad-Rohini. Previously, the trains concerned had to enter Jasidih station, where the locomotive was detached from one end and coupled to the other. The process, which also involved brake checks, added to turnaround time and affected operational efficiency.
According to the Railways, the new line is expected to reduce travel time for at least five passenger trains daily. At least two freight trains will also be able to use the bypass, helping avoid operational constraints at the main station and potentially improving the movement of industrial supplies in the region.
The project involved extensive infrastructure work, including rock cutting and the construction of a road overbridge, a road underbridge and small bridges. Signalling and track-related systems have also been installed and tested to ensure safe train operations.
Jasidih is a key railhead for Deoghar, home to the revered Baba Baidyanath Dham, which attracts large numbers of pilgrims, particularly during the annual Shravani Mela. Improved rail operations are expected to benefit passengers travelling to and from the pilgrimage town.
Eastern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Shibram Majhi said the bypass would enhance passenger movement and operational efficiency. The project is also expected to strengthen rail connectivity across Deoghar, Jasidih, Dumka and Godda.
–IANS