Madanpur rly stn to become coal freight hub

Dumka: The heavy coal freight operations would be permanently shifted from the Dumka railway station to the proposed Madanpur block station as part of a major infrastructure development project aimed at improving logistics facilities at the latter while addressing environmental concerns at the former, the Eastern Railway said in a statement.

Madanpur, located about 10 km from Dumka, has been selected as a dedicated freight hub while keeping future coal transportation requirements in view.

The railway authorities is upgrading the New Madanpur Halt into a modern block station with comprehensive goods shed facilities designed to handle large-scale freight. “The project reflects the railway’s commitment to balance industrial growth with public welfare,” Shibram Majhi, the chief public relations officer of the Eastern Railway, said.

The railway facility would support coal evacuation from major captive coal mines and meet growing demand for commercial coal movement. It will serve the Shaharpur-Jamrupani coal block operated by the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (UPRVUNL), which has a production capacity of 5.38 million tonnes per annum. It will also handle coal from the Pachwara (South) coal block in the Rajmahal coalfields operated by the Neyveli Lignite Corp (NLC), with a capacity of 9 million tonnes annually.

At present, the Dumka railway station manages most major freight activity in the area, including coal loading and unloading, as well as transportation of stone chips, sand, and foodgrains. Around six coal rakes are handled daily on average. Residents have repeatedly flagged coal dust, continuous noise and heavy truck movement through town, which causes traffic snarls and disturbance in nearby residential localities.

Railway officials said shifting operations would cut air pollution and remove the need for coal-laden trucks to pass through Dumka, easing congestion and improving safety. The change is also expected to support smoother passenger train movement on routes connecting Jasidih and Bhagalpur, which have been affected by increasing freight pressure.

The announcement coincided with the 78th weekly protest by residents demanding relocation of the coal rake point from Dumka, triggering widespread pleasure among protesters, who resolved to intensify their stir to press for the relocation.