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Railways Approves ₹1,131 Cr Project: Mansi-Saharsa Doubling, Electronic Interlocking & OFC for Bihar, WB, Jharkhand

InfrastructureEconomyPolityHIGH
Target:UPSCMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
30 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: Indian Express
Key Data:₹1,131 crore₹499 crore₹432 crore₹200 crore108.11% capacity utilisation119.34% projected utilisation
Bodies:Ministry of RailwaysEast Central Railway (ECR)Eastern RailwaySouth Eastern Railway (SER)
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What This Article Covers

1.Ministry of Railways approved three projects worth ₹1,131 crore (detailed: ₹499 cr + ₹432 cr + ₹200 cr) for Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand.

2.Mansi-Saharsa doubling (ECR) will add 1.764 million tonnes annual freight capacity; line capacity utilisation already at 108.11%.

3.Electronic Interlocking (EI) at 27 stations in Asansol Division (Eastern Railway) replaces relay-based systems for enhanced safety and reliability.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

Ministry of Railways has approved a multi-project package worth ₹1,311 crore (note: article states ₹1,311 crore in text vs ₹1,131 crore in headline — the correct figure per detailed breakdown is ₹1,131 crore) to decongest rail networks in Bihar, West Bengal, and Jharkhand. The package includes doubling of the Mansi-Saharsa line (₹499 cr), electronic interlocking at 27 stations (₹432 cr), and OFC network expansion (₹200 cr). This is a high-impact infrastructure move directly testable in Prelims for exact costs, zones, and project objectives.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total Project Cost₹1,131 crore (headline) / ₹1,311 crore (text — verify)
Mansi-Saharsa Doubling Cost₹499 crore
Electronic Interlocking Cost₹432 crore
OFC Network Cost₹200 crore
Mansi-Saharsa Line Capacity Utilisation108.11% (current); projected 119.34% by 2028-29
Additional Freight Capacity (Mansi-Saharsa)1.764 million tonnes/year
Electronic Interlocking Stations27 stations + 1 IBS (28 installations)
OFC Route Length1,696.2 route km (4 divisions)
Zones InvolvedEast Central Railway (ECR), Eastern Railway, South Eastern Railway (SER)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Total Project Cost: ₹1,131 crore (headline) / ₹1,311 crore (text — verify)
  • ›Mansi-Saharsa Doubling Cost: ₹499 crore
  • ›Target this Data: Total project cost ₹1,131 crore (headline) — but note article text says ₹1,311 crore; verify from official release. Individual costs: Mansi-Saharsa ₹499 cr, EI ₹432 cr, OFC ₹200 cr.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Ministry of Railways (approving body). Zones: East Central Railway (Mansi-Saharsa), Eastern Railway (EI), South Eastern Railway (OFC).
  • ›Target this Technical Term: 'Electronic Interlocking' vs 'relay-based interlocking' — a classic examiner swap trap.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Which ministry is responsible for approving the railway projects mentioned in the news?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the railway projects approved by Ministry of Railways:

1. The Mansi-Saharsa railway line doubling project is under the administrative jurisdiction of East Central Railway (ECR).

2. The Electronic Interlocking project will replace computer-based interlocking with relay-based systems at 27 stations.

3. The Optical Fibre Cable project will lay 48-fibre OFC over 1,696.2 route kilometres across four divisions of South Eastern Railway.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

What is the total cost approved for the Mansi-Saharsa railway line doubling project?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the Electronic Interlocking project approved for Asansol Division?

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