Indian Railways Approves ₹432 Crore to Rebuild Key Howrah–Kharagpur Rail Bridge

Indian Railways has sanctioned ₹432 crore for the rebuilding of a crucial rail bridge on the Howrah–Kharagpur section in West Bengal, marking a significant upgrade to one of Eastern India’s busiest rail corridors. The project, estimated at ₹431.76 crore, falls under the administrative control of the South Eastern Railway (SER) zone and aims to meet both current operational demands and future expansion needs.

The bridge, officially known as Rail Bridge No. 57, has been in service for over 60 years, supporting heavy rail traffic on well-established foundations. With growing traffic volumes, rising axle loads, and higher speed requirements, Indian Railways has planned a complete rebuild to replace the ageing structure with a modern, high-capacity bridge aligned with current engineering and safety standards.

The new bridge will be engineered to handle a gross tonnage of up to 57 GMT and support train speeds of up to 130 km/hr, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and safety margins on the route. The upgraded design will also minimise age-related material deterioration, ensuring greater durability and long-term service reliability while matching the parallel line infrastructure in the section.

Keeping future requirements in mind, the sanctioned project also includes provisions for a fourth railway line on the Howrah–Kharagpur corridor. A combined substructure has been planned to accommodate both the existing Up line and the proposed fourth line, taking into account space availability, technical feasibility, and cost efficiency. This forward-looking approach will help Indian Railways manage increasing passenger and freight traffic in the coming years.

The Howrah – Kharagpur section is a vital link connecting Kolkata with major parts of eastern and southern India. The rebuilding of this key bridge is expected to significantly improve safety, connectivity, capacity, and overall operational performance on the corridor.

This investment reflects Indian Railways’ continued focus on modernising infrastructure and strengthening West Bengal’s position as a critical rail and logistics hub in the country.