Newly Constructed 3rd Rail Line between Kalaikunda – Jhargram Railway Stations
COMMISSIONER OF RAILWAY SAFETY INSPECTES NEWLY CONSTRUCTED THIRD LINE BETWEEN KALAIKUNDA – JHARGRAM
Commissioner of Railway Safety, South Eastern Circle inspected the newly constructed 3rd line between Kalaikunda – Jhargram stations of Kharagpur – Adityapur 3rd line project in Kharagpur Division today (09.02.2025). A trial run was alsō conducted over Jhargram – Kalaikunda section with a speed of 130 Kmph.
Kalaikunda – Jhargram (30 Km) is a part of 132 Km long Kharagpur – Adityapur 3rd line project.
The Project covers 55 Km in the State of West Bengal and 77 Km in the State of Jharkhand.
This project was sanctioned in the year 2025-16 at an estimated cost of Rs. 1312 crores.
This section is extremely busy for moving raw materials and finished products of the core sector specially Steel Plants as well as power plants on Howrah-Mumbai Trunk Route.
This 3rd line project will not only increase the section capacity but will also help to accelerate the mobility of passenger and freight trains to establish seamless operation in the section which is in saturated point at present.
In the General Budget (2025-22), Rs. 225 crores has been allotted for this project.
Here’s the confirmed and up‑to‑date information regarding the newly constructed 3rd railway line between Kalaikunda and Jhargram, part of the Kharagpur–Adityapur Third Line Project on the South Eastern Railway zone:
Contents
🛤️ Overview: Kalaikunda – Jhargram Third Line
- A 30 km long third railway track was inaugurated between Kalaikunda and Jhargram, as part of the broader 132 km Kharagpur–Adityapur Third Line Project, undertaken by South Eastern Railway
- The project sanction dates back to 2025–16, with a total estimated cost of approximately ₹1,312 crore, spanning four railway stations in West Bengal (this section) and about 77 km in Jharkhand
- The newly constructed section underwent a trial run at speeds up to 130 km/h, supervised by the Commissioner of Railway Safety on 9 February 2025
- The official inauguration ceremony was held on 22 February 2025, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off the line along with multiple railway infrastructure projects in West Bengal
📌 Key Features & Benefits
- Increased Capacity: The addition of a third line in this corridor helps relieve congestion and supports the peak traffic flow—particularly on the crucial Howrah–Mumbai trunk route, facilitating both passenger and freight movement
- Station Redevelopment: Within the 30 km stretch, four stations were modernized—with four new station buildings, eleven new platforms, and six foot-over bridges, enhancing commuter convenience and operational handling
- Safety Trials: The Commissioner of Railway Safety conducted inspection and a trial run at 130 km/h, indicating infrastructure readiness for higher-speed traffic and reliability
📊 Summary Table
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Route Section | Kalaikunda → Jhargram |
| Length | ~30 km |
| Larger Project | Part of 132 km Kharagpur–Adityapur Third Line Project |
| Sanctioned Cost | ₹1,312 crore |
| Inauguration Date | 22 Feb 2025 by Prime Minister Modi |
| CIRS Trial Run Date | 9 Feb 2025 – Trial at 130 km/h |
| Station Upgrades | 4 station buildings, 11 platforms, 6 FOBs redeveloped |
| Primary Benefits | Increased rail capacity, reduced congestion, better freight/passenger flow |
🧠 Significance
This enhancement is part of Indian Railways’ broader effort to boost infrastructure capacity along key high-density routes, particularly connecting industrial belt and port corridors. This line improves fluidity and resilience on the overloaded Kharagpur–Adityapur trunk route, enabling faster turnaround of both freight trains and passenger services
✅ Final Takeaway
- The third rail line between Kalaikunda and Jhargram is now fully operational and was officially commissioned in February 2025.
- It significantly improves rail capacity, punctuality, and service frequency along one of India’s busiest freight-passage corridors.
- Station infrastructure and safety audits were conducted in advance to support smooth high-speed operations.
Can help further with details like train schedules that now take advantage of this line, freight corridors using it, or future expansion plans on this route—just let me know!