Third rail line approved to decongest busy Nimpara‑Midnapore freight corridor

The Ministry of Railways has sanctioned a ₹440 crore venture to lay a third track on the Nimpara West Outward Cabin‑Midnapore stretch, a 14.52‑km segment that forms a critical link in the high‑density rail corridor of the South East Railway.

This addition is a component of the High Utilisation Network‑2 plan, aimed at expanding the carrying capability of routes that are currently overstretched. The new line will enable an extra 3.52 million tonnes of freight to be moved annually, benefitting industries that ship iron ore, coal, clinker, agricultural produce, and a host of other essential commodities.

While the existing single‑track section is undergoing double‑track augmentation, the third line will further increase the corridor’s flexibility, allowing more trains to run concurrently and reducing delays caused by overlapping movements.

At present, the route handles about 23.80 million tonnes of cargo each year, ranging from raw minerals to finished products such as cement and chemicals. Utilisation figures have peaked at 115.71 percent, indicating severe strain. The third line is projected to alleviate this pressure, cut operational bottlenecks, and provide a more dependable service for both freight and passenger operations.