PURNEA, July 1 -- In a significant boost to railway infrastructure in Bihar, Railways approved the doubling project of the 44.40 km between Mansi-Saharsa Section of East Central Railway (ECR) involving the cost Rs.499 crore on Tuesday. The doubling project is believed to ease traffic congestion besides it is believed to increase smooth movement of essential commodities including maize, cement, fertilizers and makhana. The Kosi and Seemanchal regions of late have evolved as a hub of maize and makhana. The Mansi-Saharsa section is presently a single-line corridor on the Mansi-Saraigarh (Supaul) route, handling heavy passenger and freight traffic. The section operates 24 pairs of passenger trains in each direction besides facilitating transportation of essential commodities. "The current line capacity utilization has already reached 108.11% and is projected to increase to 119.34%, underscoring the urgent need for additional rail capacity," Indian Railways on Tuesday said. The doubling project is historic and it will script the history of prosperity in the region, Saharsa based social activist Amit Anand told HT over phone....