Locals push for fast execution of the Gaya Daltonganj railway line project

The movement for the much awaited rail link in Bihar and Jharkhand is gaining momentum as local stakeholders step up their advocacy. A pivotal meeting of the New Railway Line Construction Struggle Front was held on August 23, 2026, at Sanjay Gandhi College in Imamganj, Gaya. The session convened regional intellectuals and local youth to strategize on intensifying the ongoing movement for the proposed Gaya-Daltonganj new railway line. A key outcome of the assembly was the appointment of Santan Paswan as the Youth Organization Minister to bolster the group’s efforts and increase youth participation in the organization.

The project has gained significant momentum following the Railway Board’s official sanction of ₹2,627 crore on August 15, 2026. The planned broad gauge line, spanning approximately 107.894 kilometers, is slated for completion by 2028. As of August 18, 2026, authorities have successfully completed soil testing for the project, paving the way for the Detailed Project Report (DPR) phase.

Proposed Route and Connectivity

The proposed route is set to connect the Gaya district, passing through Gurua, Sherghati, Bankebazar, Imamganj, Maigra, and Dumaria, with Daltonganj, Jharkhand, via Naudiha Bazar, Chhatarpur, and Kajri. Advocacy for the line has been spearheaded by local representatives, including Palamu MP Vishnu Dayal Ram, who has repeatedly raised the project in the Lok Sabha, and Aurangabad MP Abhay Kumar Sinha.

The struggle front remains committed to its mission, asserting that the protest will continue until the formal land acquisition process for the railway project begins. The new line is expected to foster significant economic and social growth by enhancing connectivity between Bihar and Jharkhand, opening new trade routes, and expanding employment and educational opportunities for residents in the Gaya and Palamu regions.