Indian Railways has approved the construction of an 11-km bypass line between Adra end and Joychandipahar in South Eastern Railway at an estimated cost of ₹272 crore, aimed at strengthening freight capacity and easing congestion along the strategically important corridor.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the Adra-Joychandipahar-Sanka bypass will provide dedicated path segregation and a bi-directional connection to the upcoming third line. The project is expected to facilitate projected movement of 6.065 freight rakes per day and accommodate the anticipated growth in industrial traffic.
The bypass will particularly support freight requirements linked to SAIL’s 23.40 MTPA iron ore demand and BCCL’s projection of 45 rakes per day. It is expected to eliminate operational bottlenecks and reduce detention caused by surface-crossing conflicts on the Adra-Joychandipahar section.
With the existing network operating at around 71% utilisation, freight speeds have been affected by conflicts at surface crossings. The new bypass is expected to improve operational efficiency and create additional capacity, enabling 8.88 MTPA of additional traffic upon completion.
The current line capacity of the Joychandipahar-Adra section stands at 47.50% and is projected to rise to 56.45% by 2028-29, according to the Ministry.
The project forms part of the Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor identified by Indian Railways. By creating additional capacity and enabling smoother freight flows, the bypass is expected to strengthen the movement of industrial commodities and support future growth in freight traffic.
The project will also help reduce congestion, minimise surface-crossing conflicts and improve the reliability of freight operations, strengthening the Adra-Joychandipahar corridor as a key industrial freight route.