Covid second wave partially hits railway projects in state

PATNA: The second wave of Covid-19 pandemic has partially hit various ongoing railway projects under the East Central Railway (ECR) in Bihar.
According to ECR chief public relations officer (CPRO) Rajesh Kumar, various major works worth several crores are being carried out in the Danapur division. “The second wave of the coronavirus has caused suspension of works at 40 construction sites in Danapur division. Out of 220 workers engaged in the project works, 23 have so far left the sites and went to their native places,” he said.
Work on 10 out of the 20 ongoing construction sites under Sonepur division has been temporarily suspended due to sudden exodus of workers from the sites. “Altogether 250 workers were engaged in carrying out construction works at these sites. Ongoing works at five sites came to a halt in Bihar under the jurisdiction of Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya division so far,” the CPRO said.
Under Samastipur division , railways was carrying out gauge conversion, track-doubling, new lines laying and advanced signalling works. Out of 10 major sites, work at eight has been temporarily stopped.
“Altogether 62 workers engaged in Samastipur division have left the construction sites,” Rajesh said.
According to sources, railways has set the deadline to complete the track- doubling work between Patliputra Junction and Pahleza Ghat this year and to complete the 160km-long track-doubling work between Ramna and Singrauli this year, sources said.
In addition, railways has been carrying out gauge conversion (GC) work worth over Rs1,475 crore at different places in the state. Though major portion of the GC work has been completed on the Sakri–Jhanjharpur, Saharsa–Forbesganj, Supaul-Saraigarh and Jhanjharpur-Tamuria routes, railways has set the deadline to complete the GC work on the Tamuria– Ghoghardiha–Nirmali and Raghopur–Partapganj routes this year to streamline further traffic operations on this route, sources said.