Kolkata, June 9 -- South Eastern Railway (SER) has commissioned an 18-km third line section between Khantapara and Soro in Odisha, a move expected to ease congestion on the busy Kharagpur-Bhadrak stretch of the Howrah-Chennai trunk route.
Train operations on the newly laid line started on June 2 after the Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), South Eastern Circle, Kolkata, conducted
the statutory inspection of the Khantapara-Bahanaga Bazar-Soro section on May 19 and 20.
The section is part of the Narayangarh-Bhadrak Third Line Project, which aims to augment capacity on one of the region's busiest rail corridors.
Railway officials said the commissioning follows the earlier opening of the Soro-Ranital third line and will improve operational efficiency by reducing congestion and increasing line capacity.
As part of the project, SER has developed a long loop line at Khantapara to facilitate the movement of long-haul freight trains.
Passenger amenities at Khantapara and Bahanaga Bazar stations have also been upgraded.
Railway officials said the additional line would support higher freight loading, improve train operations and create opportunities for economic activity in the area.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.