Revival of Dhanbad-Chandrapura rail route not possible: Goyal

Railway minister Piyush Goyal Saturday said there is no chance of revival of 34-km-long Dhanbad-Chandrapura rail route in East Central Railway's (ECR's) Dhanbad Railway Division due to underground mines fire.

The minister who was here on a day-long visit to coal mine fire affected areas in Jharia, while talking to the media said a new railway line, between the two major railway stations - Dhanbad and Chandrapura, would be laid soon for the sake of the passengers of the region.

The Railway board closed the 34-km-long Dhanbad-Chandrapura rail line on June 15, 2017 due to coal mine fire under the railway track between Dhanbad and Chandrapura.

A total of 26 mail and express trains were either cancelled or diverted following the decision and people, MPs, MLAs of (ruling and opposition) parties have been demanding revival of the route since then.

"Movement of trains on this track is not possible due to danger of underground mines fire and it is dangerous for passengers. So risk would not be taken but the railways would soon lay an alternative route to remove the problem of people," the minister said.

The minister also inspected the fire-affected collieries in Jharia and took stock of situation.

He asked the officials of Bharat Coking Coal limited (BCCL) to make arrangements to rehabilitate the residents living in the fire-affected areas of Jharia.