The Union Cabinet approved the Koderma–Barkakana railway doubling project in June 2025 as part of a railway multitracking package worth Rs 6,405 crore. As part of the project, East Central Railway has invited bids for doubling a 41.2-km section between Hazaribagh Town and Kuju stations in the Dhanbad division.
The tender has an estimated value of Rs 848 crore and will be executed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model. The scope of work includes earthwork, blanketing, laying the second track and constructing major and minor bridges. It also covers road overbridges (ROBs), road underbridges (RUBs), limited height subways (LHS), platforms, station buildings and foot overbridges (FOBs). Existing ROBs will be dismantled wherever required.
The railway infrastructure will be developed to meet Indian Railways’ 25-tonne axle-load standard. Once completed, the additional track is expected to increase freight train capacity and support the movement of coal, iron ore, finished steel, cement and other commodities.
