The rail budget for 2022-23 provided a total allocation of Rs 1,069.38 crore for new and ongoing projects within Ranchi railway division.

While an allotment of Rs 642.10 crore has been made for continuing ongoing projects, the rest Rs 427.28 is meant for new ones, said a press release issued by the Ranchi railway division headquarters on Thursday evening.

The highest provision for a single project has been made for the ongoing work of doubling the 158.5-km long rail link between Ranchi and Bandamunda that will help improve Ranchi’s connectivity with the Howrah-Nagpur-Mumbai railway line that was first opened to traffic way back in 1900.

An allotment of Rs 400 crore has been made in the budget for the work, taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 1,754 crore.

An allotment of Rs 121 crore has also been made for another major project, Lodhma-Piska link line, that was taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 432 crore.

Once complete, this link line will would ensure smooth movement of goods traffic, including minerals, bypassing Ranchi and Hatia stations.

Though Rs 92 crore has been provided for renewal of tracks and their maintenance, only Rs 5 crore was allocated for the doubling of the 58-km long line between Muri-Barkakana that was taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 580 crore.

Those residing around Chutia pump house in Ranchi will be relieved to know that Rs 64 crore has been provided for construction of an road over bridge above the existing level crossing there that would hopefully end the traffic congestion in the area.

A similar road over bridge would also come up at Gola Road for which Rs 54 crore has also been provided.

The budget also provided Rs 22 crore for improving passenger amenities in some stations under Ranchi divisions, the release further informed.

It added that three more lifts would be installed at the Ranchi station and Rs 2 crore has been separately provided for the purpose.

Though not within the area Ranchi division, doubling of railway track between Talgaria and Bokaro north cabin will help smooth traffic moment elsewhere in Jharkhand.

Another press release issued by the South Eastern Railway headquarters in Calcutta on Thursday said that Rs 100 crore has been allocated for doubling of the 38-km long line.

Similarly, another allocation of Rs 80 crore has been provided for doubling of the 36-km long railway line between Purulia and Kotshila stations under Adra division, the release further said.

Though lying within adjoining Purulia district of Bengal, doubling of this line, when complete, will immensely help improve connectivity of Ranchi with Bengal.