CRS Begins Inspection of Katihar–Kuretha and Katihar-Sonaili Double Line Sections

 Guwahati, 18^th June, 2026:         

The Commissioner of Railway Safety (CRS), Northeast Frontier Circle, Kolkata, Shri Sumeet Singhal, is carrying out the statutory inspection of the newly constructed Broad Gauge (BG) double line sections between Katihar (1.380 km)-Kuretha (12.440 km) and Katihar (1.327 km)-Sonaili (17.542 km) in Katihar Division of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR). The inspection programme commenced on 17^th June, 2026 and is scheduled to continue till 19^th June, 2026. Both these sections form part of the Katihar-Kumedpur and Katihar-Mukuria New Double Line Projects.

The Katihar-Kumedpur and Katihar-Mukuria New Double Line Project, spanning a total length of 64.14 km, is a significant infrastructure development initiative aimed at enhancing rail capacity and operational efficiency in the region. The project includes 2 important bridges, 27 major bridges and 23 minor bridges, along with extensive track and associated railway infrastructure. Upon completion, the double line corridor will serve 16 railway stations, facilitating improved train operations, increased line capacity, reduced congestion, and more efficient movement of both passenger and freight traffic across the Katihar Division of Northeast Frontier Railway. The CRS inspection of the Katihar-Kuretha and Katihar-Sonaili sections are an important step forward in the progress of the project.

During the ongoing inspection programme, Shri Sumeet Singhal will inspect station infrastructure, track geometry, bridges, signalling and telecommunication systems, electrical installations, safety arrangements and other associated railway assets of the newly constructed sections. The inspection will also include detailed examination of stations and field installations along the route. As part of the statutory inspection, speed trials are being conducted to assess the operational safety, stability and readiness of the sections prior to their commissioning.

The ongoing CRS inspection is a major step towards the commissioning of these newly constructed double-line sections. The completion of the Katihar-Kuretha and Katihar-Sonaili double line sections will mark another important milestone in the modernization and capacity augmentation efforts of Northeast Frontier Railway. contributing to enhanced connectivity and more efficient train operations across the region.