Trial run for train traffic on Kosi bridge successful: Railways

PATNA: The 90-year-old dream of people living in Kosi region in north Bihar is likely to be fulfilled with the completion of the new rail bridge over Kosi river. The bridge, which is located on the Nirmali–Saraigarh section of the ECR’s Samastipur division, has been completed at a total cost of Rs 561.02 crore.
The bridge is of strategic importance for India and seeks to provide a shorter route to the Northeast.
Former PM Atal Behari Bajpayee had laid its foundation stone on June 6, 2003 on the demand of the people of Kosi region. ECR chief public relations officer (CPRO) Rajesh Kumar said that a trial run of a passenger train was made on this 1.9 km long Kosi Mahasetu on June 23. “Railways, however, intends to open the newly-built rail bridge for traffic movements after getting clearance from the commissioner of railway safety (CRS), eastern circle, Kolkata, sometimes in July this month,” he said.
According to the CPRO, at present, the distance of about 298 km between Nirmali and Saraigarh is being covered via Darbhanga-Samastipur-Khagaria – Mansi – Saharsa route. It will now be hardly a distance of 22 km following completion of the Kosi rail bridge . “The Nirmali–Darbhanga–Sakri – Jhanjharpur and Saraigarh – Saharsa - Forbesganj routes were the meter gauge lines in 1887 by the then North Best Railway Company. The direct link between Nirmali and Sariagarh was, however, completely disrupted after the old Kosi rail bridge in 1934 was washed out,” he said adding, “There was no direct connectivity between these two important places Nirmali and Saraigarh since then.”
According to sources, the social bonding between these two places Nirmali and Saraigarh located across the Kosi river was very strong due to solemnization of the marriages. Unfortunately, this social bonding by way of marriages between people of these places had come to a halt due to dislocation of direct communications. People of these two places were greatly relieved and overjoyed that their social bonding will now be strengthened further by the newly-built Kosi bridge, sources said .
“Railways is hopeful that people of these areas will benefit a lot when several pairs of local passenger trains will start running between Nirmali and Saraigarh routes frequently and thus their long-cherished dream is translated into a reality by the railways,” the CPRO said.