Chakradharpur: The Railway Ministry has approved a 122 crore project to double the 6 km Barbil-Bolani mine section under Chakradharpur railway division, strengthening Rail capacity on an important mineral transportation route. The project is expected to allow an additional 8.9 million tonnes of freight movement annually once the doubled section becomes operational.
The Barbil-Bolani section is currently a single line route and handles around 9 million tonnes of freight a year. The traffic includes iron ore and pellets from SAIL’s Bolani mines and private sidings operated by Rungta, Khatau and Nirbherram. Around six loaded freight trains operate on the section daily, making the short stretch an important link for the region’s mining and steel industries.
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The section has been identified as part of the Indian Railways’ energy, mineral and cement corridor. Iron ore transported through the route is moved to Steel plants and major ports. Doubling the line will allow trains to move without the same level of waiting for crossings on the single line section, helping reduce delays in freight operations and improving the movement of mineral consignments.
Capacity Push for Mining and Industry
The project comes as SAIL expands its mining operations and steel plants and ports increase their handling capacity. A second line is expected to remove a capacity constraint on the mineral corridor and improve connectivity between mines, industrial units and ports. For the surrounding mining belt, the additional rail capacity could also support higher freight movement as mineral production and industrial activity increase.
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