Bengal’s Freight Network Gets ₹272 Crore Boost with Adra–Joychandipahar Bypass in Purulia

West Bengal’s freight and railway infrastructure is set for a major upgrade with ₹272 crore approved for an 11-km Adra–Joychandipahar bypass in Purulia. The project will create a dedicated route for freight movement and provide a bi-directional link with the upcoming third railway line.

The bypass is designed to handle projected movement of 6.065 freight rakes per day. It will also help eliminate surface-crossing conflicts on the corridor, which is currently operating at around 71% utilisation.

The project is expected to support SAIL’s 23.40 MTPA iron ore demand and BCCL’s projected movement of 45 coal rakes per day. This will strengthen the movement of key industrial commodities across the region.

Once operational, the Adra–Joychandipahar bypass is expected to facilitate an additional 8.88 MTPA of traffic. The project will also strengthen West Bengal’s connectivity with the Energy, Mineral and Cement Corridor.

The Joychandipahar–Adra section is projected to see its line capacity rise from the current 47.50% to 56.45% by 2028–29. The improvement is expected to provide greater capacity for freight movement while reducing operational conflicts along the route.

The ₹272 crore railway project is therefore expected to play an important role in supporting industrial logistics, mineral transportation and freight connectivity in Purulia and across Bengal.