Jasidih–Dumka–Rampurhat line

The railway line to connect Santhal Pargana with Bengal was conceived by the British in 1850s to exploit the natural resources but was not implemented due to Santhal rebellion of 1855. Demands were raised for a railway line many times after independence. Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee approved the railway line and laid the foundation stone in 1999.[1]

The 71 km segment from Jasidih Junction to Dumka became operational on 12 July 2011.[2] The track from Dumka to Ambajora Sikaripara became operational in June 2014. The track from Rampurhat to Pinargaria became operational on 25 November 2012. The short distance of 10 km from Ambajora Sikaripara to Pinargaria was completed at the beginning of 2015 and became operational on 4 June 2015 when a passenger train started operating from Dumka to Rampurhat.[3]

The line reduces the distance between Jasidih Junction and Rampurhat by 135 km, from 270 km via the Asansol Junction.

The construction of a new Deoghar–Banka railway line is an associated project in the region.

Deoghar is an important railway station on the Jasidih–Dumka–Rampurhat railway line. Due to the importance of Deoghar as a religious place, a railway line from Jasidih to Deoghar has been in existence for a long time. The old Deoghar railway station (Vaidyanathdham or Baidynathdham Deoghar railway station), however, was located inside the town, so the railway line could not be extended through densely inhabited areas. Therefore, a new railway line was built from Jasidih and a new Deoghar railway station north of Deoghar was built.

Dumka railway station seen from pedestrian footbridge

Two lines branch out from the new Deoghar railway station. The railway line to Dumka goes east of Deoghar. The new line to Banka goes towards the north and turns east and connects with Banka railway station passing through New Nawadih, Chandan, Bhalua, Katoria, Kharjhounsa. and Kakwara railway stations. The railway line has been completed from Deoghar to Banka. It will serve devotees once a direct train start running between Deoghar and Sultanganj through Bhagalpur. A daily passenger train has been started from Jasidih to Banka which runs once a day, except on Sundays.

Dumka railway station signboard

More information: Dumka-Bhagalpur line

Construction of a new Dumka–Bhagalpur railway line was taken up as an associated project to connect Dumka with Bhagalpur. The new railway line takes off from Dumka towards the north and connects with Bhagalpur railway junction. The 51 km railway line from Bhagalpur to Banka and Mandar Hill already existed. The railway line extended from Mandar Hill to Hansdiha was inaugurated on 22 December 2012. The 14 km line from Dumka to Barapalasi station was commissioned in February 2014.[4] The remaining section from Barapalasi to Hansdiha was opened for passenger trains on 28 September 2016. This Dumka – Bhagalpur railway line will serve as second alternative option for railway traffic to Howrah and Bhagalpur and will decrease distance between Bhagalpur and Howrah by nearly 70 kilometers.

One passenger train runs between Jasidih Junction and Dumka. After June 2016, one train runs from Jasidih junction to Banka via Deoghar, Chandan, Katoria. One passenger train ran between Jasidih Junction and Barapalasi via Dumka Junction after 10 February 2014. The Passenger train service between Jasidih and Ambajora Sikaripara started on 30 June 2014 via Dumka railway station. Service between Dumka and Rampurhat started on 4 June 2015 when a passenger train started operating from Dumka to Rampurhat. The Passenger train service between Dumka to Bhagalpur started on 28 September 2016 when a passenger train started operating from Hansdiha to Dumka. Only one express train runs from Dumka to Ranchi.One train runs between Bhagapur and Howrah via Dumka.

There is demand to run a fast train between Bhagalpur and Jasidih via Banka.A train has been proposed and may become operational.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Rail travel in India.

• Ministry of Railways. (Official site)